The involved and legal process to determine a new Bishop for the city began after Victoria Matthews stood down from the role in May. Continue reading

The Anglican diocese confirmed Northern Irish-born Patterson, 40, died of natural causes in her home yesterday after a recent, undisclosed illness.

Last year she succeeded Peter Beck in the role, becoming the cathedral's first female dean. Continue reading

Her installation will take place on 15 December.

Is she high-church or low-church? Answer: "I am liturgically fairly catholic and theologically fairly liberal - a liberal catholic," she says.

Mike Crean, writing in The Press, says "Patterson has been in Christchurch long enough to understand how people are polarised by debates: a cathedral for Cathedral Square, differences between high and low church factions, ordination of people in same-sex relationships.

"If the sparkling personality of the Northern Irish farm girl cannot carry her through such controversies, then her ability to see all sides and bring reconciliation to them should do it."

Patterson studied theology at Oxford and then lectured in theology there, for a total of 12 years. She had intended doing a doctorate but enjoyed the teaching so much she took on extra classes instead.

Having previously visited New Zealand, she she came to live there 10 years ago.

Patterson's first year involved becoming "acclimatised to New Zealand culture", learning Maori and studying for church ministry. Bishop David Coles ordained her as a deacon in 2004 and a priest in 2005.

She was attached to Theological House in Merivale and acted as curate to the cathedral. She became theologian-in-residence at the cathedral and assistant to the then dean, Peter Beck. When Beck resigned in 2011, Patterson became acting dean.

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Anglican Taonga
• AnglicanLife.org.nz
• Image: Anglican Taonga

The Christchurch Anglicans met in a special synod on April 13-14, and chose to proceed on a path which could see the 46 parishes in and around Christchurch being significantly reduced, even halved in number, as a result of parish mergers.

The synod received a Draft Proposal that had been prepared by a Structural Review Group. It will now be sent to the Diocesan Standing Committee for review.

In her address to the special synod, Bishop Victoria Matthews described the challenge facing the diocese :

"How will we as a diocese respond to the devastation of property, and the re-arrangement of the population of our region following the earthquakes in Canterbury?

"Will we be set free? Or will we become even more imprisoned by our possessions and structures?"

The diocese's Church Property Trustees have advised that there are around 200 earthquake-damaged buildings across the diocese - including 38 which have either been destroyed, demolished or require repairs that will cost more than $50,000 each.

Source

• Anglican Taonga
• Image: Anglican Taonga

Beck announced his resignation from the cathedral on Wednesday to contest a Christchurch City Council seat in a by-election.

A senior member of the cathedral broke ranks yesterday, criticising Matthews and questioning if she should remain as bishop.