Demolition experts will not be closing in on the earthquake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral any time soon, despite a court giving the green light to take it down. The Court of Appeal yesterday dealt those fighting for the landmark’s restoration a hefty blow when it dismissed an appeal against a High Court decision allowing the Anglican Read more
The ‘‘overwhelming majority’’ of the more than 200 members of the Christchurch Anglican synod, which was in session on the weekend, are in favour of a new, modern Christ Church Cathedral with not a single person voting for restoration. Last week the church revealed three designs for the Christchurch icon – restoration, a reinterpretation of Read more
Both the Archbishop of Canterbury and his newly-appointed successor are dismayed at the defeat of a proposal to ordain women as bishops in the Church of England. After hours of debate, the proposal for women bishops won the required two-thirds majority from the general synod’s house of bishops and house of clergy, but was four Read more
Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews says she was shocked by a government order giving 10 days to come up with plans to make Christ Church Cathedral safe.
Matthews said the notice from the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) on October 28 came “out of the blue”.
The order, known as a section 38 notice, gives building owners 10 days to advise Cera of plans to make earthquake-damaged buildings safe.
“Two property people came to my door and said they needed to see me right now and we have been told this has been issued and we have 10 days. From that point, a bit more time was negotiated,” Matthews said this week.
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The Catholic and the Anglican Churches are facing some tough decisions about the future of their Christchurch Cathedrals – restore the old ones or build new ones. The Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament leaders are considering whether to restore the building for more than $100m or build a new cathedral for about $40m. “I am still 50-50. Read more