Why is the altar central feature in a Roman catholic church?

Question

Why is the altar central feature in a Roman catholic church?
any suggestions..?

Answer 1

The altar is the table on which the sacrifice of Mass is celebrated.

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” Then he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.”

Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, that through a miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where God, acting through the priest, on the altar changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

This is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.

By the way, the Orthodox, Lutheran and many Anglican Churches also believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1322 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: it is the central feature in all ancient Churches including Orthodox, Coptic, Armenian as well.

It is because the central focus of Christian worship for 2000 years has been the communion, what Catholics know as the Eucharist. The central place of the Christian celebration has been that portion of the Mass called the Liturgy of the Eucharist, it is our greatest prayer to God.

see the following links to learn more about the importance of how a church building is laid out.

Answer 3

Christ is our Rock, and a permanent altar made out of rock symbolizes Him as our immovable and permanent rock upon which our faith takes roots. By tradition (though not mandated), the "relics" of saints are interred in Catholic altars, because we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses always, and we received our faith passed down from the saints (who are the most visible of the elect - those redeemed by Christ through faith, saved by grace).

It is also the place of the most sacred point of the Mass, the liturgy of the Eucharist, at which we commemorate and re-present (make present) Christ's sacrifice.

The altar and the tabernacle were adopted from Judaism; in fact, you will find many similarities in the layout of Catholic churches and Traditional Jewish synagogues.

Note that it is not the only place of "action" - the Liturgy of the Word, which takes up the first part of Mass, takes place at a podium to one side.

Answer 4

Two reasons actually. One because an altar is traditionally a place to honor and worship God. Two because it represents the sacrifice for our sins. The Jewish people offered up certain animals as offerings to God in their place for their sins on such an altar. Christ as our final sacrifice is offered on it.

Answer 5

upon the altar is the tabernacle.
inside the tabernacle rests the Eucharist.

Answer 6

It creates the illusion that the "priest" has some connection to God who is "dwelling" on the high altar...

but since God is omnipresent, and since we are all made in God's image... it is just an illusion.