Sacred Heart Church (Tirana) Explained

Building Name:Sacred Heart Church of Tirana
Kisha Zemra e Krishtit
Map Type:Albania
Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic
State:Albania
Province:Tirana
Status:Church
Leadership:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tiranë-Durrës
Architecture:yes
Specifications:yes

The Sacred Heart Church (Albanian: Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church of Tirana) is a Roman Catholic church in Tirana, Albania. Built in 1939 during the Italian invasion of Albania, it is the oldest Catholic church in the city.[1]

History

The Sacred Heart Church was built in 1939 by the Italians during the Italian invasion of Albania and inaugurated in 24 December 1939. It was closed in 1967 when all religions were banned in Albania.[2]

During the 1967-1990 religion ban in Albania, the church was used as a hideout by Catholics to pray in the house of God despite its state of disrepair.[3] During that period, a wall was erected in front of the façade of the church.[4]

It reopened in 1990. The bell-tower had been destroyed, but the bell was saved. Since the neighboring Orthodox church had a bell-tower but no bell, the Sacred Heart's bell was given to them. Thus the two churches symbolically use the same instrument to call the faithful. The Christian community also benefited from the aid received by the Muslims of Albania that was shared by the Catholic entities. The program Aid to the Church in Need also raised funds to restore the church.[5]

In 1991, Mother Teresa paid a visit to the church,[6] which used to be her elementary school, and located on the street she lived on.[7] Mother Teresa received her first communion and confirmation in the Sacred Heart Church of Skopje.[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Sacred Heart Church. Visitingtirana.com. 27 February 2017. 26 February 2018.
  2. Book: Tirana In Your Pocket. In Your Pocket. 21. Jeroen van Marle . Alwyn Thomson .
  3. Web site: Ban on religion forced Albanians to pray in secret: one woman's story. Ncronline.org. 26 April 2013. James Martone. 26 February 2018.
  4. Book: On Missionary Roads. Jozef Tomko. 2007. Ignatius Press. 978-1-58617-165-0.
  5. Web site: Albanian Catholic Bulletin. 1992. Galabri.com. Albanian Catholic Institute. 26 February 2018.
  6. Web site: 'We are proud of Mother Teresa,' Albanians say of future saint. Catholicphilly.com. James Martone. 26 February 2018.
  7. Web site: Mother Teresa, Beyond the Image - chapter 1. The New York Times. 1997. Anne Sebba. 26 February 2018.
  8. Web site: Mother Theresa of Calcutta. Libero.it. Lush Gjergji. 26 February 2018.