CathNews New Zealand

There could be some unpleasant shocks ahead when insurance for the catholic churches in the Christchurch region come up for renewal in November.

Christchurch diocese financial administrator Paddy Beban says, “Our brick churches will generally be at the higher end of the risk scale and we can anticipate increases.”

If the experience of other denominations is anything to go by ,the increases could be in the order of 500%. At St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ashburton, for example, the congregation is going to have to come up with about $27,000, due mid-September. It compares to its premium for the previous year of about $5400.

Minister David Brown said the cost would be sustained by the parish in the short-term, but there were concerns about the ongoing cost.

Source

• Ashburton Guardian
• Image: www.liturgy.co.nz

Additional reading

• Knox Minister says church may go without insurance
• Church insurance re-evaluated
• Insurance restrictions hurting construction firms

News category: New Zealand.