Despite dozens of sales, demolitions and changes in the intended use of churches, convents and church properties across Germany, yesterday Bishop Gebhard Fürst of the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart consecrated the new church of St. Peter’s in the town of Bad Cannstatt. The feast for the new worship building is an important sign for the entire Diocese. Bishop Fürst recalled in his homily that it is “around Peter, the rock of the Church”, that all the “living stones that bring their colourful diversity to the altar, in this House, the Church”, will gather. For the Bishop, “especially at this time when churches are often empty, the building of a new church is something extremely special”. The new sacred building – which is part of a brand new pastoral centre, which includes the church, a social centre and a kindergarten – comes from the cooperation of the Diocese, the parish and the local branch of the “Stiftung Liebenau” Foundation, which provides social assistance to the sick, the disabled, the elderly, and young people in difficulty. According to the Diocese, the old church of St Peter’s, dating back to 1972, needed major renovations and was therefore de-consecrated and demolished in 2016 – a destiny common to many modern churches built after the World War. The new facility was built in 20 months and cost €6.5 million. Stiftung Liebenau acquired part of the property from the parish to build a facility for disabled persons with a living area and a laboratory.