The Macau Roman Catholic diocese said in a statement that the redevelopment of the long-abandoned Catholic Centre in the city centre “will be launched soon”, adding that the revamped building will include a “pilgrimage hotel”.
According to the statement, the redeveloped building will consist of three main segments – an exhibition hall, training facilities, and the pilgrimage hotel.
The exhibition hall will focus on the history and future of the diocese. A number of multifunction rooms will be used for faith training. A two-star hotel will provide 200 rooms for pilgrims and other visitors.
The revamped Catholic Centre is expected to be a 20-storey building. Five floors will be earmarked for church offices and training purposes, including a chapel, exhibition hall, 200-seat auditorium, conference rooms, “culture zones” and “gospel restaurants”.
The pilgrimage hotel will not only welcome pilgrims but also backpackers and young travellers, the statement noted, “thus providing them a place to stay, to pray and to learn more about our Catholic history (and) culture.”
According to The Macao Post Daily the redevelopment of the property is underway, awaiting government approval. The statement did not say when the redevelopment project was scheduled to be completed.
The old Catholic Centre has been mothballed for over two decades. Until its closure, it included a Catholic bookshop, a library and a multimedia centre.
