council altars (Roman Catholic church)

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Scope note
Altars in Catholic churches installed after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) in accordance with new mandates that the altar should be table-like and placed far enough away from the wall so that the celebrant could face the congregation rather than have his back to them. Churches dating before the 1960s may retain the structures of the original high altars that are nearer the wall and having ornate superstructures, although they are no longer used for celebrating the mass. Altars from other periods and other faiths may be similar in design to council altars; the distinction is the context in which the council altar was installed.
council altars
Accepted term: 29-Apr-2024