Lady of the Valley: Splendour & Truth

‘The Parish of our Lady of the Valley: St Michael and St John’s Catholic Church’ is the centre of Clitheroe’s Roman Christianity. I entered it for the first time last month. As I wandered about, a few faithful Catholics quietly waited their turn to confess their sins in one of the side rooms. Of the building, I was struck by two things in particular: the gorgeousness of the pulpit and the grandeur of the war memorial.

Our simple war memorial is outshone by that which stands at this church’s rear. A large crucifix set amid much stained glass is located in one of the corners, and a rollcall of the unfortunate victims of the twentieth-century’s great wars lists the names. Before them, a request to pray for their souls, for their Church teaches that they now dwell in the flames of purgatory, burning off the sins which the blood of Christ was unable to truly cancel.

It is fair to say that the Roman Catholic prizes the sermon somewhat less than the Protestant Dissenter. The pulpit at Salem Chapel is rather nice, but it barely competes with the exquisitely carved marble of Ss Michael and John. This edifice would not be out of place in some papal oratory in Rome itself. Of course, I might question what is preached, for the teachings of Rome regarding salvation are very much at odds with the plain Biblical message. From a gorgeous box of onyx can a less beautiful gospel of faith plus works be preached.

Roman Catholic churches are far more interesting in their designs and materials than nonconformist chapels, but some of the doctrines they teach are contrary to God’s word. Better to hear the plain truth in a plain shed than an extravagant scheme of fancy in a splendidly rich temple.