Argentina: Church inherits large stadium

Luna Park Lectour Stadium

The Catholic Church in Argentina has inherited a massive 10,000 seater stadium in Buenos Aires. Heiress Ernestina de Lectoure, who had no children and died in February, at the age of 95, was the main shareholder of the property. She has left 95% of the Luna Park Lectoure Stadium to the Salesian Society of St John Bosco and Caritas, legally represented by the Archdiocese of Buenos Aires.

The Luna Park is considered one of the icons of the city. The venue has hosted many major political and cultural events such as the Mass with Pope John Paul II during his visit to Buenos Aires in 1987, and sell-out concerts with Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Luciano Pavarotti. It was here that Evita met Juan Perón. It’s also the place where, in 1950 the Argentina team won the FIBA World Basketball Championship, beating the United States.

Built in 1930, the theatre was declared a 'National Historic Landmark' in 2000, so any repair or modification of the building must be approved by the National Commission of Museums, Monuments and Historic Places, which depends on the Ministry of Culture of the Nation. Church authorities are now considering what to do with the unexpected gift.

Source: Fides