Eight religious leaders from all the major Christian denominations, including Presbyterian, Methodist and Catholic, have written a letter to The Press calling for Anglicans to be “left to make decisions as to the future of the cathedral”.
“The role of the wider community (including other Christian denominations) is to respect their decision (whatever it might be) as being one that is true to their understanding of their call from God, in this place, at this time,” the letter states.
“The costs – spiritually, emotionally and financially – of all our buildings are borne by those for whom these places of worship are their spiritual home,”
“First and foremost the Cathedral in the Square, like all Christian church buildings, is a place of worship to the God we know in Jesus Christ and a reminder to the wider community of God’s presence.”
“The reason why all churches exist is to make Jesus Christ known and to enable people to gather in community and worship. The church is not primarily a landlord tasked with caring for stone or wooden edifices.”
Presbyterian moderator David Coster wrote the letter as he felt the media and politicians unfairly criticised Matthews.
It was signed by Coster, Methodist district superintendent Kathryn Walters, Catholic diocese administrator Rick Loughnan, Grace Vineyard Church senior pastor David MacGregor, Elim Church lead pastor Nu Telea, Salvation Army divisional commander Ivan Bezzant, King’s Church senior pastor Ken Shelley and Baptist regional mission leader Maurice Atkinson.
Source
- stuff.co.nz
- Image: static.2.stuff.co.nz
