The announcement was made Monday by the Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington and Apostolic Administrator of the Christchurch diocese, Paul Martin.

The diocese hopes the whole complex will be completed within five years.

To fund the project Martin says the diocese is considering selling the site of the former Christchurch Catholic Cathedral in Barbados Street along with other surplus land.

The diocese will also launch a fundraising campaign to fund the project.

Martin says that raising money for the new Christchurch Catholic Cathedral will be a challenge but remains prayerfully optimistic the Cathedral Precinct Campaign will get the support of Canterbury Catholics, the wider community and the government.

He admits it will be a significant financial challenge but says he is looking to build something more traditional than modern.

"It needs to tap into why people loved the [former cathedral]. People loved the [former cathedral] because of the style and elegance."

Current plans for the Christchurch Catholic Cathedral Complex represent a 40:60 split.

$40m for a 1,000 seat Cathedral and $60m for an open courtyard, offices for diocesan officials, a garden and parking.

Martin says projections to fully restore the former cathedral were costed at $149m and this was too expensive.

During the announcement, it was also revealed that two firms have been chosen as the architects.

American firm Franck & Lohsen Architects have been chosen as the lead design team and they will be supported by prominent Christchurch firm, Warren and Mahoney.

Franck & Lohsen were chosen because they specialise in Catholic architecture with a traditional design and have built churches all over the world.

Stuff reports that Art Lohsen visited Christchurch in 2018 and Michael Franck visited New Zealand last year to present concept designs for a potential new cathedral.

Franck said he wanted the new building to feel timeless.

"We hope to design a uniquely New Zealand-style cathedral, bridging a classical style of architecture with more contemporary styles."

Martin says Franck & Lohsen came of their own volition.

Warren and Mahoney are well known New Zealand architects.

Source

• Stuff

Plans to construct the building on the Barbadoes Street site of the original Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament were confirmed earlier this year, a change from earlier plans to build it on Armagh Street.

The older cathedral opened in 1905 but was demolished in 2020 after irreparable damage in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

The replacement will be called the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - Te Hahi Matua o te Hakarameta Tapu Rawa.

Bishop Gielen said people spoke of the pain of losing the previous cathedral after the Christchurch earthquakes, and how retaining the name would provide some comfort for them. Read more

Further input from the diocese's Catholic community is being sought to help choose between those still on offer after numerous suggestions were pared back.

The name search began last month when Christchurch's Bishop Michael Gielen initiated a survey.

He invited Catholics in the diocese to suggest a patronal name for the soon-to-be-built cathedral. He asked them to share the reasons behind their choices.

Seven hundred people responded to the survey.

Gielen says dozens of saints and many other names in honour of God were proposed. Any one of them could fittingly adorn a new cathedral, he said.

"The reasons people offered for their nomination were powerful and compelling."

Narrowing the choice was no easy task.

What's in a name?

After prayer and discernment with a group of advisers representing laity, religious and priests, Gielen says a shortlist of seven names emerged:

• Blessed Carlo Acutis
• Corpus Christi
• St Francis of Assisi
• St Mary of the Cross Mackillop
• St John Paul II
• St John the Baptist
• The Blessed Sacrament

What to do now

In a letter to Catholics in the Christchurch diocese, Gielen invited them to choose between the options.

Selecting a worthy patronal name for the new Catholic cathedral from the shortlist is something people should contemplate, Gielen wrote.

He suggested they review the candidates' names and read their profiles (provided here via the links above) and consider the suggested reasons for each option.

Gielen has also provided a prayer people could pray before they consider the names, to welcome God into their deliberations:

Holy Spirit, inspire us as we discern a name for our new cathedral. Lead our Diocese to a patronal name that can encourage, challenge and comfort the people of God, and someone on whom we can rely for intercession. Amen.

Next steps

People need to send their responses to the address provided by July 7.

These will help Gielen and his advisers to narrow the list to three.

Gilen says he will then pray about those three names before making his choice.

He plans to announce the new Cathedral's name by the end of July.

The big question now is what will people choose?

Will they go for a young 21st century saint - or will something more traditional win hearts?

The new cathedral will replace the magnificent renaissance-style Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament which was severely damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes. It was eventually demolished in 2020.

Source

• ODT
• Catholic Diocese of Christchurch

It launched a process of finding a name for the new Catholic cathedral.

Catholics are being invited to suggest a name and offer an explanation why they believe it would be a fitting choice.

A short-list will be created based on nominations received over the next two weeks, followed by an additional opportunity for feedback.

Bishop Gielen will then prayerfully discern the name for the new cathedral in conversation with key advisers.

The cathedral name is expected to be announced in late July.

Read more: www.cdoc.nz/cathedral [sic]

The Arts Centre's management team continues to sound the threatening drumbeat of insolvency if the ratepayer doesn't rush to their rescue.

(The doom-mongering hasn't stopped them frittering lavish operational sums on their multi-media "Save the Arts Centre" advertising campaign.)

Meanwhile, Ferrymead Heritage Park and Orana Wildlife Park are also seeking substantial council funding, up to $1.5 million, annually.

Last week also brought the shock postponement of the New Zealand Agricultural Show, with the Canterbury A&P Society board in a state of upheaval, if not dysfunction.

Sub-standard operating models would seem to be the common denominator across these entities.

A Council responsibility?

Over many years, the city council has allowed itself to be treated like some great and benevolent provider, handing-out the cash to many a passing cause.

But as the business end of the long-term plan process fast approaches, the sheer clamour for fatter council grants and funding lifelines has been quite audacious, if not impertinent.

It's essential the council stands firm and adopts a "tough love" fiscal stance, to protect the interests of all ratepayers, who are already bracing for a double-digit rates hike.

Canterbury's signature A&P Show has a long, proud legacy of 160 years, as does Christ Church Cathedral.

The church's reinstatement leaders didn't exactly cover themselves in glory last week, at the council briefing.

I'm not convinced all the dire warnings of the cathedral without additional public funding being plagued by vermin, pigeons and razor-wire struck the right note.

I still believe the onus is on the church to principally self-fund the completion of the strengthening programme, which requires a $30m funding injection by the end of August.

Beyond that, local and global philanthropy is critical.

But as the council briefing underscored, there's considerable ability to rescope the cathedral project to get the price-tag back below $200m.

Scrapping base-isolation for the building alone would save well north of $20m. (Base-isolation wasn't included in the Arts Centre's restoration, either.)

Hope and humility shine

In stark contrast to these trying times for so many high-profile entities, the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch's announcement on Sunday was a welcome breath of fresh air. Finally some new hope and humility, amid the climate of gloom.

Building a brand new cathedral on the Barbadoes St site marks a great home-coming for the Catholic diocese, given the first chapel and church were built there 160 years ago, as forerunners to the basilica.

Following December's launch of the future cathedral consultation, Bishop Michael Gielen's (pictured) preference to return to Barbadoes St has received a ringing endorsement.

The four-month long survey has produced 85 percent support for Barbadoes St, with only 10 percent support for the now-dumped Armagh St proposal. Read more

• Mike Yardley is a Christchurch-based writer and commentator on current affairs, and a regular opinion contributor.

On Sunday, Christchurch diocese's Catholic bishop, Michael Gielen, announced the decision to use the Barbados Street site.

It will be on the same site which the beautiful Petrie-designed Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament occupied until the 2011 earthquake destroyed it. Constructed in 1905, the cathedral was demolished in 2020.

Catholic Cathedral College land and unused church-owned sites adjoin the Barbados Street property.

Although ultimately his decision, Gielen said in a letter read at Masses on Sunday that local Catholics' wishes were fundamental to the decision-making process.

Survey closeup

Sixteen hundred people took part in a Christchurch Catholic Cathedral diocese survey. Their preferences about the new cathedral's location show:

Eighty-five percent wanted the old Barbadoes St site for the new cathedral

A further ten percent wanted the diocese-owned $50 million riverfront block on the corner of Armagh and Colombo Streets

Four percent opted to expand at St Mary's (the pro-Cathedral) on Manchester Street

Good news for the diocese

Gielen is positive about the survey outcome.

"For the last 160 years this (Barbadoes St) site has been the focal point of our diocese" Gielen announced in his letter about the new site.

"We hope to connect with the inner city revitalisation."

Beauty, and having a prominent presence in the city, are important considerations he said.

Experts have been consulted and assured him the land is suitable for reconstruction.

Financial prudence and space for growth have also been considered.

What next?

Gielen says the next step is to choose a patron saint for the new cathedral. His letter noted he would be seeking input from the diocese in that respect.

The coming months will also see critical design work getting underway for the new cathedral precinct.

It will include an early learning centre, diocesan and parish offices, cultural and community space and "ample parking".

Catholic Cathedral College will remain on its current space, the bishop says.

However, the longer-term location of St Mary's Primary school is yet to be decided. It might move.

"You, the people of Christchurch share my desire for a cathedral that glorifies God, brings our community together and enhances worthy liturgical celebration."

Local experts will continue to advise on their areas of expertise as the design process develops, Gielen says.

Timeline

While Gielen doesn't have a timeline for the construction, he says he understands the "urgency" many people feel to see a new spiritual home built.

He said the project would indeed proceed with urgency, but with great care.

He has asked for prayer for this "missionary project", that it will "continue to proceed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit".

Source

• Supplied - Christchurch Catholic Diocese
• Stuff
• NZ Catholic Bishops Conference

.

Consultation phase complete

A wide range of views has been sought to provide the diocese with the means to make a well-supported decision.

Some of these came from technical experts including engineers, architects and surveyors. The Diocesan Finance Council and the College of Consultors (a canon law institution) also provided input.

In addition, 1,500 parishioners responded to a survey (which closed in late March) on the Catholic cathedral precinct's location.

The three potential sites which the survey sought views on are:

• Barbadoes Street - the site of the former cathedral
• Armagh Street - the initially proposed site
• Manchester Street - the site of St Mary's pro-cathedral.

Decisiveness and clarity urgently needed

In a letter to the Christchurch diocese last December, Bishop Michael Gielen emphasised the urgency for clarity regarding the Catholic cathedral.

"It's time for decisiveness" he said at the time.

The plan has always been for the bishop to take the survey results, discuss them with the board, pray and then discern the best way forward, Thompson says.

According to the Diocese's website, Gielen says it will take some time to reach this decision, but he plans to share an announcement in April. That will mark "the next stage in our journey towards a new cathedral" his website comment notes.

As to exactly when this will happen is up in the air just now. Not instantly though, says Thompson.

"Nothing's concrete yet, so we're in a holding phase at present" he explains.

"Once a decision is made, the diocese will provide feedback."

Source

• The Press
• Catholic Diocese of Christchurch - Te Takiwa o te Pihopa
• CathNews NZ

The new thinking marks a departure from the construction plan on Armagh Street.

As part of the change in thinking, Bishop Gielen has initiated consultations with professional specialists and within the diocese to gauge opinions on the most suitable site for the Christchurch Cathedral.

Highlighting the transformation in global circumstances since the initial decision in 2019, Bishop Gielen cited

• the COVID-19 pandemic,
• the Abuse in Care Royal Commission findings, and
• the significant rise in inflation as factors necessitating a reevaluation of the cathedral's construction.

Clarity a priority

In a letter to the Christchurch diocese, Gielen emphasised the urgency of clarity regarding the Christchurch cathedral, stating that it's time for decisiveness.

The new Christchurch bishop says it has taken time to get to know the diocese and engage with various faith communities.

A recurring theme in his discussions with diocese members is the need for clarity about the cathedral's location.

Gielen envisions a Christchurch cathedral that is aesthetically pleasing, timeless, and represents their faith tradition.

"My vision is that our new Cathedral is beautiful, timeless in design and is a worthy house that honours God and respresents our faith tradition.

"It must be a place where all feel welcome so we can continue to foster the faith we have received and to grow in our own call to holiness.

"It will be a unique place of worship that current and future generations will be proud of," writes Gielen

He then addressed the key question of the cathedral's location, proposing three potential sites:

• Barbadoes Street - the site of the former cathedral
• Armagh Street - until this letter the current proposed site
• Manchester Street, the site of the St Mary's pro-cathedral.

In his letter to the diocese, Gielen explained that each site was evaluated based on its historical and spiritual significance, its capacity to support additional facilities, future growth potential, accessibility, parking, and financial viability, considering the diocese's broader financial obligations and responsibility towards those harmed in Church care.

Gielen says his preference for Barbadoes Street is rooted in the diocese's humble and historic beginnings.

He shared his personal connection to the site, having lived there for the past 18 months, and highlighted its spiritual significance, larger size, financial viability, and accessibility compared to the other sites.

Actively looking for feedback

However, Gielen says that while his considered view is the Barbadoes Street site, he is open to feedback.

He is now inviting the Catholic community in Christchurch to reflect on this crucial decision and share their thoughts.

He plans to consider the community's input before making a final decision.

The diocese will engage in a three-month period of dialogue and discernment, including a survey on 18 December where people can express their views.

The final decision will be based on various factors, including parish group feedback, technical and financial considerations, stakeholder feedback, and guidance from diocesan advisory bodies.

Sources

• Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
• Frequently Asked Questions
• CathNews NZ

Earlier this year, after opposition from a small group of parishioners, Bishop Michael Gielen paused plans for the new central city precinct.

On Sunday, Gielen wrote to congregations saying the diocese's post-earthquake project - including most parish mergers - could go ahead after all.

The plan

The "post-earthquake" plan includes building a new $40m cathedral on a half-hectare church-owned site opposite Victoria Square.

Next to it, private developer Philip Carter will build offices and a parking building along with an adjacent school at the end of the block.

The plan also includes merging suburban parishes and selling the excess land - as well as the land on the earthquake-damaged cathedral site.

All up, the plan is priced at $100 million. Diocesan general manager Simon Thompson says funding is not dependent on the diocese's plans for the suburbs.

Engaging with Rome

One of the concerns which the parishioners opposing the plan complained of to Rome related to suburban parishes. The plan involved parish mergers and selling excess sites, reducing 12 city churches to five.

This plan did not cater for parishioners' spiritual needs, the parishioners claimed.

Meanwhile, Gielen was waiting for guidance,which came in the form of a letter from the Vatican.

Anxious to resolve the two-pronged precinct and parish merger issues, Gielen also contacted Rome - in person.

The diocese was keen to clarify "muddy waters" after receiving a legal letter from the Vatican about the project.

The letter from the Vatican had been written in Latin, Thompson says.

So while Gielen was in Europe for the World Youth event, he went to Rome and "knocked on a few doors". The project just couldn't stay in limbo forever.

Getting out of limbo

Gielen says after meeting Vatican officials, he was advised Rome would hear the parishioners' petition relating only to the Christchurch South parish.

That means other complaints that had been delaying the project were no longer sticking points. The plan could now go ahead, Gielen says.

The question now is "How is God calling us to administer our parish and resources?" to meet the diocese's core mission.

The established parish boundaries would remain, Gielen says.

"It is my heartfelt belief that consolidation ... of our capital resources ...will help create more vibrant faith communities."

Gielan also says he's following up the best advice available for the cathedral precinct project.

He has not yet confirmed whether the cathedral will be built to replace the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament which was destroyed in the 2011 earthquakes.

The diocese says it will announce more details about this by December.

Gielan has promised to keep the community updated about progress.

Source

• NZ Catholic Bishops Conference
• The Press
• The Press
• Stuff

The role is newly created, and the successful person will work closely with the bishop, general manager and senior leadership team to provide revenue growth, supporting the diocese's mission.

In the position's Candidate Brief, the diocese states that it is in the midst of an exciting chapter in its history with many upcoming fundraising opportunities.

However, the single fundraising opportunity identified in the Candidate Brief is the Cathedral Precinct development.

"Currently in the planning stages, the Cathedral Precinct development in the central city will strengthen the future of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch."

The Candidate Brief refers to this opportunity as a "once-in-a-lifetime project" that includes "a cathedral, diocesan offices, parish offices and other associated buildings."

Earlier in the year, following the Christchurch City Council's revised CBD roading plans, the future of the Cathedral precinct was put in doubt.

Michael Gielen, Bishop of Christchurch, expressed concerns about the project's viability.

He stated, "I am committed to creating thriving parishes and building a worthy cathedral within the Diocese of Christchurch.

"However, I am aware that the cathedral represents a significant financial commitment for the diocese.

"It will be a legacy of my tenure as bishop, and I want to ensure that any decision regarding the development project is made with utmost care and comfort, as anyone in my position would."

The project was then further set back when Christchurch's "The Gathering Group", mounted a Canonical legal challenge to the Vatican

The Gathering Group sought to halt the sale of land and the construction of the new cathedral.

Gielen responded by way of a letter read out at all Sunday Masses.

In the letter, he informed Catholic congregations that the further sale of land, parish mergers and the construction of the new Christchurch Catholic Cathedral have been suspended until the diocese receives a response from Rome.

In April, it was reported that new City Council recommendations might allow the Christchurch Catholic Cathedral precinct and a 600-space parking building to proceed after all.

Bishop Gielen has assured the diocese that he will collaborate synodally on future plans.

Sources

• Catholic Diocese of Christchurch (Last accessed 14 July, 2023. Job applications closed 16 July, 2023.)
• CathNews
• CathNews
• Stuff

This will come as a relief to developers and the Christchurch Catholic diocese.

The diocese was providing $30 million towards development costs - funds it raised for the purpose.

Plans with developers were well underway last month when Council announced two-way Lichfield Street would become a one way system.

The precinct and carpark plans relied on the two-way system.

Developers said they will cancel plans to work in the area.

One-way systems just don't work for them there. Two-way systems do.

The latest option

Besides answering developers' desire for a two-way street, the Council says its new design aims to answer safety concerns. It will also offer additional space for people and outdoor dining than is currently the case.

It seems good news for supporters of the new Catholic precinct and parking building. The comprehensive design includes offices for youth ministry and social services staff, plus accommodation for the bishop and priests.

When it was first announced, Christchurch's then Catholic Bishop Paul Martin said he was keen for the Cathedral to be at the city's heart.

The precinct will be handy for the congregation, school groups and the public, with room for up to 1000 people, he said at the time.

He was pleased the precinct would stay open to the public to walk through. It would provide a pedestrian link from New Regent St to the Avon River.

All up, costs for the carpark building and precinct are in the millions. Fundraising for the Church's estimated share including land and buildings has begun, to cover:

• $85 million for the Cathedral
• $11 million for the relocated St Mary's primary school
• $30 million for the diocesan share of a joint venture for the 600-space parking building.

Source

• Stuff

The 29 March move came after there was considerable interest in the letter's contents, particularly from Catholics who could not be at Mass on the Sunday it was read.

Those at Mass who heard the letter also wanted the further opportunity to ‘digest' it.

CathNews originally sought a copy of the letter through the Church's National Communications office, but the National Communications Office was told the Christchurch diocese considered the matter a local issue.

Evidence suggests otherwise.

Putting a halt on building a new $100m Cathedral precinct, pausing parish mergers and the non-publication of the bishop's letter garnered considerable local, national and international attention.

Now able to read the letter, a New Zealand communications consultant labelled it "excellent" and said he could not understand why the diocese was keeping it secret.

"People replace silence with their own meaning, making it easy for your message to get confused or be diluted," he said.

Simon Thompson, general manager for the diocese, told the Christchurch Press the diocese had been informed by the Vatican of the legal challenge and advised by lawyers to halt all work on the plan.

Thompson says the diocese is not hiding anything but did not wish to hinder the legal process.

He says the diocese wants to respect the legal process and, at this point, is unaware of the precise details of the canon law challenge.

Thompson told the Christchurch Press that once the diocese receives the full details of the challenge, it will have more clarity on its path forward.

CathNews understands the legal challenge primarily relates to communications processes surrounding the formulation of the diocesan plan - "Our Faith Our Future," the post-Christchurch earthquake demolition of the Catholic Cathedral in Barbadoes St, and the sale of Maryville Courts retirement village.

On being named Catholic bishop of Christchurch, Gielen was quick to endorse the diocesan plan "Our Faith, Our Future," saying the begun work stands the diocese in "fantastic stead going forward."

While initially excited by the challenge, Gielen's letter suggests that after talking with people across the whole diocese, he has changed his mind about the diocesan plan "Our Faith, Our Future."

He wants to move forward together and in prayer.

Sources

• Supplied
• Christchurch Press
• CathNews NZ

The news was delivered by a letter read on behalf of the Bishop of Christchurch, Michael Gielen, at all Sunday Masses.

Christchurch diocese parishioners told CathNews that Gielen had put a hold on the development until the diocese hears from the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.

The Tribunal is the highest judicial authority in the Catholic Church.

Gielen also told parishioners that future developments would proceed in a synodal way, communally and in prayer.

The bishop's letter was sent to parish priests with the instruction that it was not for display or publication.

"It's a bit odd, a lot of Catholics are not as regular in going to Mass anymore; how are they to be told," a parishioner commented to CathNews.

Seen by others as a compassionate and welcoming message, they are concerned that the likes of the infirm, some elderly, those shut-in, or those out of town for the weekend are excluded from an important message.

"The letter needs to be made public; everyone needs to be informed by the bishop, not just those at Mass; last Sunday.

"Everyone needs to sing off the same song-sheet.

"Publishing the letter helps avoid confusion and builds trust," they say.

However, despite confusion around the delivery and what people actually heard, the news pleased "The Gathering Group," a 300-strong group of Christchurch Catholics who launched a Canonical legal challenge to the then apostolic administrator Archbishop Paul Martin's actions.

The Gathering Group told CathNews that it had written a 70 paragraph submission to the Apostolic Signatura via Cardinal Luis Tagle, Prefect for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

Tagle is responsible for the Church's mission territories, including New Zealand.

Among the concerns giving cause to a legal appeal to the Apostolic Signatura is canon 212.

The Group maintains parish mergers reducing 12 city churches to 5 meant Martin did not meet his obligation to cater for parishioners' spiritual needs.

Following the Christchurch earthquakes Bishop Barry Jones reduced the number of parishes from an estimated 50 to 24.

The group says Martin's actions made a difficult situation even more difficult.

The Group suggests that defining a parish community by the weekly availability of a priest is a clericalist response to the problem.

They say people understand that they may not have access to Mass in their local community each week, and while they hope parish communities could participate in the Eucharist as often as possible, the baptised can still gather in their parish community and exercise Christian ministry aided by well-trained lay ministers.

The Gathering Group maintains an abundance of theology and pastoral modelling is available for Bishops to deal with a shortage of ordained priests.

They cite the 2020 decree from the Congregation for Clergy on "The pastoral conversion of the parish community at the service of the Church's evangelising mission."

The Group's appeal also focuses on how Martin, through the Diocesan Property Team, planned to deal with "surplus assets" from the sale of parish property.

They maintain the diocese was not adequately consulted on the Plan; instead, they were presented a "fait accompli," something "already decided on by a tiny cohort of priests and property developers."

They say, "The Plan was presented as a "Proposal" (and) the Proposal, in substance, did not change and became the Plan.

The Group also alleges Martin demolished the Barbadoes St Cathedral and sold the Maryville Courts retirement village when he was Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington and was acting in Christchurch only as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese.

The Group says in case it is necessary; it is also exploring New Zealand civil action to prevent the diocese from further land sales.

When ordained bishop of Christchurch, Gielen quickly praised Martin's work, saying he looked forward to consolidating the city's parishes.

"The work he (Martin) has done in paving the way for the consolidation and strengthening of our parishes and schools stands the diocese in fantastic stead going forward," Gielen said.

"It is an exciting time to lead the diocese through this next growth phase of the Catholic Church in Christchurch."

CathNews spoke with Kevin Campbell, a lawyer assisting the applicants through the canonical judicial process.

Campbell told CathNews that because the matter was sub judice, he wanted to respect the legal process and, at the moment, could not comment.

Sources:

• Supplied

"Bishop Michael (pictured) just wants to make sure he gets it right."

He said the new Cathedral precinct would be a fantastic addition to the city, a place where people, including tourists, would be able to "bump into Catholicism", but change - including rebuilds - takes time.

"The Catholic Church, I am often reminded, has been around for 2000 years and will be around for a while longer," Thompson notes.

However, it is important to know the bishop and Philip Carter are still on the same page regarding the wider development of the project.

In a written statement, Gielen said:

"I have a steadfast commitment to creating thriving parishes and building a worthy cathedral within the diocese of Christchurch."

"I am conscious the cathedral is a large financial commitment for the diocese.

"It will be a legacy of my tenure as bishop of Christchurch, and as such, I want to be as comfortable as possible with any decision on the development project, as anyone in my position would."

Thompson said the church was committed to the central city and is having a good hard look at the project's size, scale and financial implications.

"We have also looked at other sites as part of this process, including the Barbadoes St site," he said.

Thompson says no decision has been made to 'can' the current plan.

"It is about certainty of investment.

"If you are sinking tens of millions of dollars into a project you don't want key things changing."

While a resource consent for stage one of the Catholic precinct - a Carter Group commercial development - is with the City Council, Carter was recently reported as saying he is no longer interested in providing a 600-space car park as part of it.

The car park would provide parking for the nearby performing arts precinct and the new Court Theatre.

Carter objected to Council plans to turn parts of Lichfield and Gloucester Streets into a one-way system.

He and other developers claimed the Council was back-tracking on assurances given when they chose to invest in the area.

The Council confirmed that the resource consent for stage one is on hold, awaiting further information from the developer.

The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Michael Gielen, inherited an ambitious $500m plan when he took over as bishop last May.

The plans had been negotiated between developer Philip Carter and the then acting archbishop Paul Martin.

They include a $40m cathedral on Colombo Street to replace the Barbadoes Street Blessed Sacrament Basilica, which was destroyed by the February 22, 2011 earthquake.

At the time, resource consent was expected to be lodged within a few months. It was predicted the cathedral might be completed by 2025.

Two months later, Gielen was appointed, and he has now paused the project.

No resource consent application has been lodged.

Thompson said there is no date on a cathedral decision and that it remained at the pleasure of the bishop.

Martin, Gielen's predecessor, demolished the historic Catholic cathedral on Barbadoes St and committed to building a new cathedral in the city centre.

Source

• Star News
• Stuff

The ground shifted when the City Council revised its CBD roading plans.

Developers - those putting up millions and encouraging growth - don't want one-way streets near their sites. Not when they were supposed to be two-way streets.

One of the many projects caught in the middle is the planned Cathedral precinct car park.

What's happening

The Council has devised a $33 million plan to make roads around Christchurch's new Te Kaha stadium more pedestrian-friendly.

Part of the plan would make Lichfield St one-way, with a 10kph speed limit between Madras and Manchester Streets.

It's thought safety is likely to improve.

Three-quarters of the 1,200 submitters supported the change of plan.

As a consequence, Philip Carter (pictured with former Bishop of Christchurch Paul Martin) and several Christchurch developers are scaling back major projects in the area, putting others on hold and threatening to pull out of the central city.

The Council is breaking promises made in earlier post-earthquake rebuild documents, they say. The developers are being left without certainty.

Carter says the documents show Lichfield St would remain two-way. The street is an "artery" for a car park which he and Christchurch's Catholic diocese are developing.

Now the Council is "tampering" with it. Making it one-way would break trust, he said. He has "deep concerns" about anything that affected traffic coming into the city.

Investors don't want to put their money into developments on one-way streets, he indicated.

The Cathedral precinct

The car park joint venture the diocese and Carter are working on is for a 600-space parking building in the precinct. Offices for youth ministry and social services staff, plus accommodation for the bishop and priests are included with the plans.

Carter says he won't be doing this if the Council's plans go ahead. (Nor will he be building planned hotels in the vicinity.)

If Carter does pull out, the Church's plans for the precinct will obviously be affected.

It's a project the diocese has been looking forward to.

When it was first announced, then Catholic Bishop of Christchurch Paul Martin said he was keen for the Cathedral - which the Carter Group has been chosen to build - to be at the heart of the city.

The precinct will be handy for the congregation, school groups and the public, with room for up to 1000 people, he said at the time.

He was pleased the precinct would stay open to the public to walk through. It would provide a pedestrian link from New Regent St to the Avon River.

Fundraising for the Church's estimated share of the development, including land and buildings has begun, to cover:

• $85 million for the Cathedral
• $11 million for the relocated St Mary's primary school
• $30 million for the diocesan share of a joint venture with Carter to the 600-space parking building.

Martin said the plan took over a year to put together behind the scenes, involving several landowners as well as the Church and Crown.

Sources

• Stuff
• Stuff

Rising from the ruins of the devastating 2011 earthquakes, plans for the exciting development include a brand new Catholic cathedral, a commercial building, a 600-space car park, diocese offices, apartments and commercial space.

"It is very exciting. It will be a fantastic addition to the city."

Thompson says the new precinct will open up the Avon River to the city and provide north-facing hospitality and retail.

"We will have tourists who will want to walk up there and extend New Regent Street."

"This is the vision, and then we will look at how we make it work," he says.

Thompson says the project budget and completion dates still need to be determined and will depend on how the project is funded.

Last May, however, Christchurch Diocese Administrator and Co-adjutor Archbishop of Wellington, Paul Martin predicted the precinct would take five years and might cost $100 million.

That amount included $40m for the cathedral.

As far as raising the money to pay for the project is concerned, Thompson says any and all options are being considered.

One option involves the diocese selling parts of the precinct as bare land, or developing and then selling them.

Another option could see the diocese divesting land or buildings.

While plans are being made, there is still much to be done before the first sod is turned.

One of the first tasks is to obtain resource consent, which will be sought in two stages.

At present, the diocese is seeking consent for the car park, diocese offices and priests' accommodation buildings.

Assuming consent is given, Thompson says work on this part of the project will begin next year. It will take about two years to complete.

Thompson says the second phase of the project will see the cathedral and the fourth building constructed.

Plans for the cathedral and a fourth building are not yet publicly available.

They will be submitted for resource consent separately, in about two months.

Last May, Christchurch firm Warren and Mahoney and American firm Franck & Lohsen were announced as the architects.

Franck & Lohsen, which will lead the design work, specialises in Catholic architecture.

Source

• Stuff
• Image: Stuff

Restore Our Catholic Cathedral (ROCC) spokeswoman Dame Anna Crighton said they had given up their legal battle after receiving legal advice from barrister Prudence Stevens, which concluded the section 38 notice could not be challenged in the courts.

The only thing we could do is file an injunction to stop the work. But if we do that, and we lose, we have to pay all the legal costs," Crighton said.

"It was always going to be a challenge."

"The only thing we can do is shame them and let people know that we did try."

The diocese has since acknowledged that demolition cannot start until a work plan is approved. Approval by Information New Zealand (Linz), the Government agency that oversees the emergency earthquake power, in the form of a section 38 notice, is being sought.

Linz property and land manager Matt Bradley said a decision should be reached on the demolition plan within a week.

A spokesman for the Catholic diocese said demolition work would commence only once the plan was approved by Linz.

Crighton received the title Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2020 New Year honours.

She had long campaigned to protect New Zealand's historic buildings but stepped up after the 2011 earthquake.

She was a Christchurch City Councillor for twelve years (1995-2007) during which time she chaired the Arts Culture and Heritage Committee.

Crighton has helped restore the quake-damaged Isaac Theatre Royal in her role as director of the theatre's charitable foundation.

She also helped preserve more than a dozen Christchurch heritage buildings.

She has a PhD from Otago University. The subject of her thesis is The selection and presentation culture of the Robert McDougall Art Gallery.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• heritageawards.co.nz
• otago.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com
• Image: rnz.co.nz

Bishop Grimes, Bishop Edward Joyce, Bishop John Cunneen, are buried under the floor of a side chapel of the cathedral.

Grimes, the first bishop of Christchurch, was the driving force behind the building of the cathedral.

The diocese has also applied to disinter Father Laurentine Ginaty and Bishop Matthew Brodie from a chapel at the St John of God hospital.

The future of the Chapel is uncertain.

A notice of an application to disinter the four bishops and the priest has been published in a local newspaper.

The notice also calls for any living descendants of the men to come forward.

The disinterment application is part of early preparations for the demolition of the cathedral.

Catholic diocese property head Tony Sewell the notice is just the start of the process.

"This is just to do with the burials so that we know when we invoke section 38 we have all things covered.

We are making sure we are following all the steps required."

The notice says that the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch knows of no surviving next of kin for Father Ginaty, Bishop Grimes, Bishop Brodie nor Bishop Joyce.

"But it must use its best endeavours to ensure that any such person is consulted," Sewell said.

The disinterment application requires that a public notice looking for relatives of the deceased bishops he said.

"Any living family members would be consulted on where the bishops would be reburied.

Grimes has been gone a long time. There may be some family members that we need to talk to, and that is how we find them," he said.

"It is important we track down any family members we need to consult with and get approvals from."

Source

stuff.co.nz

nzherald.co.nz

There's more than one battle in this long saga and only one of the cathedrals will have a happy ending.

Both buildings were severely damaged by the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes and aftershocks, and both sit derelict.

The future of the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Barbadoes St looked safe after the Bishop Barry Jones supported restoration.

Meanwhile, the iconic ChristChurch Anglican Cathedral in the city centre looked doomed after its Bishop Victoria Matthews opted to demolish and rebuild.

But several years after the disastrous events of 2011, their fates have switched.

The Gothic-designed ChristChurch cathedral will be rebuilt and its classical Catholic counterpart will be deconstructed and a new one built closer to the city centre.

The head of Historic Places Aotearoa, Dr Anna Crighton, is among the many people and groups that have fought hard to save the Anglican Cathedral in Cathedral Square.

"ChristChurch Cathedral is not only the centrepiece of Cathedral Square and our city, but it is our icon," she says. "It's in our living room here.

"It's the reason why the Anglican community was built here. So for seven years the Christchurch public have been fighting against the misinformation that it was beyond repair, that it was dangerous, they can't afford to repair it …. [that it was] an exciting opportunity to build a new cathedral and it would take too long to restore anyway."

After a bitter seven-year battle that involved the Church, the council, the government, community groups and residents, the Anglican Synod decided that the cathedral would be restored at a cost of $104 million.

It will be partly funded by the Church's insurance with grants from Christchurch City Council and the government.

Work has finally begun and it will take at least a decade to rebuild. For now, there's still a gaping hole where the pigeons get in, and the cathedral is out of bounds, surrounded by security fencing.

Just a few blocks away on Barbadoes Street is the Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Its future looked safe until a few months ago when the new Bishop, Paul Martin announced it will be deconstructed and a new one built.

It is a Petre architecturally designed building, which was known as one of the most beautifully designed cathedrals in the Southern Hemisphere. Continue reading

The purchases are likely to be the first stakes in a larger site for a complex which may include a new cathedral.

Property and company records reveal the Catholic diocese has bought 10 vacant properties in the central city block bordered by Armagh and Manchester streets and Oxford Tce.

At 4340 square metres or nearly half a hectare, the church's new sites occupy more than a third of the vacant city block extending from Manchester to Colombo streets and adjoining the city's new Avon River promenade.

Eight of the properties are opposite New Regent St and another two on the corner of Colombo St and Oxford Tce.

The eight adjoining sites were sold to the church for $11m by Christchurch investor Ben Gough's company Tailorspace.

Sites, opposite Victoria Square and the Christchurch Town Hall, remain in the hands of Victoria Apartments Ltd.

The rest of the land on the block comprises several sites owned by the Carter Group.

This includes the derelict former PWC and the former Copthorne hotel site facing Victoria Square owned by Millennium and Copthorne Hotels.

A spokesman for the diocese confirmed the purchases but said any more information would come from the bishop when he was ready to make a statement.

The diocese announced in August it would demolish its earthquake-damaged Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, once considered by some to be New Zealand's finest building, and rebuild on a more central site.

When the decision to pull down the existing Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was announced last month it triggered a vow by heritage enthusiasts to fight to save the building.

Christchurch Heritage Trust chair Dr Anna Crighton called it "the best and the most significant cathedral in the southern hemisphere".

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz