Madrid, Spain, Jul 24, 2006 / 22:00 pm
The materials that were used to build the papal altar for the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families in Valencia will be shipped to Peru for use in constructing churches and schools for poor children.
According to the Archdiocese of Valencia’s newspaper “Paraula,” the more than 75,000 square feet of wood and canvas used for the altar and stage where Pope Benedict celebrated Mass will be sent to the Foundation for the Integral Development of Peoples, which for decades has promoted works of evangelization and human development in Peru through the construction and recycling.
The Foundation plans to use the materials to build churches and schools for both children and adults to help them develop job skills.
The AVAN news agency reports that the materials from the altar have already been shipped to Madrid, where they will be prepared for shipment to Peru.