Many church-goers spent a 4th Easter in makeshift facilities.

Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

Many Catholics in Canterbury celebrated a fourth Easter in makeshift facilities.

Christchurch’s Catholic diocese has more than 50 properties in Canterbury and the West Coast to be either strengthened, repaired or rebuilt.

About 75 per cent of the strategies have been finalised.

Diocesan financial administrator Paddy Beban said although progress could have been faster, he was “happy where we’re at”.

Its insurance claims were settled in 2012, but the pool was not sufficient to repair and strengthen all churches.

“It’s not so much those that are subject to an insurance claim, it’s those that aren’t [but are] earthquake-prone. Because of heightened awareness, we need to look at those in the mix too.”

Churches at Burwood and St Albans are due to be demolished and up to 12 projects, excluding the historic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, are heritage restorations.

Some parishes will continue to share facilities, while others have officially merged. About 50 parishes have become 30.

“I guess [the share arrangements] are working, but I have to say it isn’t as good as being in your own local church,” Beban said.

The former St Paul’s site in Dallington has been sold and the Burwood church is unlikely to be rebuilt. A church will instead be built in Mairehau.

The Catholic cathedral remains in ruins in Barbadoes St but engineering and geotechnical reports have been sought.

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