Here are some reflections on the interior, made by Cardinal Mahony, himself. Pride has indeed found a sincere follower in Roger Mahony.
New Cathedral
from the Inside"
Some Reflections
Cardinal Roger Mahony
Archbishop of Los Angeles
As one enters our new Cathedral that person should be swept up with several spiritual and human emotions.
At once the aura of God's presence, the immediate recognition that this is God's house, and a deep sense of personal sanctuary should envelop the entrant. The soul should be captivated by the beauty, the silence, and the invitation of the space.
The eyes should be drawn gently but powerfully to the Sanctuary where the human community gathers to offer worship to our Creator. The progression of one's faith-life should become unmistakable: entry into the life of Christ at Baptism and the celebration of the Eucharist and the Church's Liturgy and Sacraments to sustain that spiritual journey.
At the same time, the soul should seem to float upwards and about as the Cathedral structure itself entices each person to the grandeur of God and the irresistible longing to be with God. The limits of creation's "now" should be freed to allow the "eternal" of the Kingdom of God to be in some ways experienced.
The interior setting should unlock for everyone the potential of a glimpse of God's glory and His nearness to us, His creatures.
The space must not distract or confuse. The immediate recognition that this is indeed God's House should capture each person, and instantly affirm that this space is special and like none other in our community.
The Cathedral's proportions and beauty should quickly clarify, not confuse, one's emotions: surely this is public space like none other in our community, calling thereby for reverence, silence, joy, and meekness.
The soul, spirit, mind, heart and emotions of each person should begin to merge into a joyful new reality--all elevating the person to a new dimension of God's powerful indwelling.
CATHEDRAL TRIVIA
Size of the site: 5.5 acres
Size of the Cathedral (footprint): 65,000 sq. ft.
Cathedral square footage: 57,000 sq. ft.
Height of the Cathedral: 55’ above baptistery; 80’ above altar; 95’above the cross
How many people can fit in the Cathedral: 2,400 fixed seating + 600 moveable seating How many people will fit in the Ceiling height of the Crypt Number of chapels: 10 on main floor, plus crypt chapel Size of chapels: Blessed Sacrament: 800 sq. ft., Reconciliation 1,000 sq. ft. Height of Chapels: 22’ Height of the Alabaster Curtain Wall: Lowest point 20’ above ground; highest 80’ Total area of Alabaster windows: 27,000 sq. ft.
Number of priests that will fit around the altar: 10 directly, 300 in the presbyterium
Dimensions of main altar: H 3’, W 12’, D 8’
Square footage of the ceiling: 34,000 sq. ft.
General description of the ceiling: custom architectural woodwork
Dimensions of the south Doors: Approximately 30’W x 28’H
Dimensions of the north Doors: Approximately 20’W x 18’H
Weight of one bronze door leaf from the pair of main entry doors: 25,000 lbs.
Size of the Plaza: 2 1/2 acres
Number of people that will fit in the Plaza: 6,000
Number of gardens: 4
Height of campanile above street level: 186 ft. to top of cross
Number of elastomeric base isolators: 149
Building weight, above the seismic isolators: 125,000,000 lbs.
Concrete quantity in the entire project: Approx. 59,000 cubic yds. (architectural and structural)
Quantity of reinforcing steel in the project: Approx. 6,000 tons
I'd bet a sizeable sum that they were boilerplate written by a professional marketing firm.
Size of the ego: 5.5 Donald Trumps
Dissenters per square footage: 4.2/ft.
Height of the Absurdity: 
(infinity)
Donors fleeced: 1.34 million.
Number of priests that will fit around the altar: 10 directly, 300 in the presbyterium
Number of priests ordained in Los Angeles in the last three years: 10 directly, but 300 womyn are waiting in the presbyterium
General description of the ceiling: ugly.