Reconsecration

In Paul Turner's Blog by Paul Turner

Q:  Our church has been using a temporary altar, but we are acquiring a used altar from a church that has closed. Does the bishop reconsecrate the new altar?

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A:  No reconsecration takes place.

Let me give you examples of what is not taking place so that you can see the values.

In the case of the dedication of a church already in use, the bishop sprinkles the altar with water if the altar is completely new on this occasion (ODCA III:9). This implies that if he’s using a previously consecrated altar repositioned in this church, it doesn’t even get sprinkled with water. Its consecration still endures.

Similarly, when a church or chapel is being “blessed,” then an altar that has already been blessed is not blessed again (ODCA V:22 and CB 968).

Sometimes not doing something gives greater honor than doing something.