Romanian Bishops Say Office Tower that Irked Vatican Must Go

Romania's Catholic bishops on Tuesday urged the mayor of Bucharest to respect court rulings and tear down an office tower looming over a historical cathedral in the city center.

"The moment has come for the mayor of Bucharest to choose between the financial interest of the real estate promoter and the public interest, which requires that court rulings are to be enforced and the cathedral to be protected," Romania's 16 bishops and archbishops said in an open letter.

The ornate St Joseph cathedral, listed as a historic monument, is a cultural and architectural symbol of the Romanian capital.

In 2006, real estate promoter Millenium started to build a 75-meter (245-feet) glass and steel tower block next to the cathedral, sparking a protest from the Vatican.

After years of legal battles, a Romanian appeals court in January ordered that the tower be torn down, and the ruling was final.

But the empty tower block has remained untouched despite Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu promising he would respect the law.

The bishops accused the mayor of "duplicity" and said his attitude was "putting into question the rule of law" in the country.

Oprescu was not available for comment on the bishops' statement.

Critics of Oprescu have condemned what they say is his poor track record in protecting the city's historic districts.

Many historic monuments in Bucharest are threatened by real estate speculation, heritage groups said in a report earlier this year.