† カトリック玉造教会
大阪高松カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂
Altar, Pulpit, and Bishop's Seat
The altar, pulpit, and bishop's seat are symbols of the three functions handed down from the Lord Jesus to the Twelve Apostles, led by Peter, and then to the bishops, led by the Pope. Thus, we will explain all three of them together. Fortunately, the Second Vatican Council, in its Constitution on the Church, speaks in detail about the priestly ministry of the People of God {see art.10 of the same document}, about the prophetic ministry (see art. 12), and also mentions the royal ministry (see art. 13). It is specifically mentioned in its third chapter, on the episcopacy, as a teaching ministry (25), a sanctifying ministry (26), and a governing
ministry (27).
The main altar in front of the great mural is a pure white monolith, Italian Carrara marble.
Jesus did not belong to the tribe of Levi, to whom the priestly office was entrusted, but he fulfilled it in accordance with the Melchizedek dignity (Ps 110:4) (see "Letter to the Hebrews"). Jesus fulfilled that office on the cross by sacrificing Himself. He commanded His apostles to remember it at the Last Supper. The apostles entrusted their successors, the bishops, with this task (Const. 26). The place where they fulfill their duties is the altar.
The pulpit, located to the right in front of the congregation's pews, is rarely used in practice. However, its symbolic significance is not small. It is the task of
Jesus as prophet, and it is emphasized that this is especially true of the bishop (Const. 25). Its majestic pulpit, made of marble, signifies the importance as well as
the sublimity of its task.
To the left of the platform is a majestic marble pew. Its backrest is carved with a Japanese landscape with Mount Fuji and the rising sun in the background. This seat is called a cathedra (bishop's seat) in Latin, from which it derives the name cathedral (church of the bishop's cathedra). This seat is unique to the cathedral. It signifies the governing office entrusted to the bishop. According to the Gospel, it is "to serve" (Const. 27). This magnificent marble cathedral, together with its occupant, calls for parishioners to serve the Gospel even more.
