Recent engineering and geotechnical reports are showing “positive” signs for the future of Christchurch’s quake-damaged Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, officials claim. Preliminary reports on the land and foundations on which Christchurch’s Catholic Cathedral sits are positive. The detailed content of the reports has not been made public yet. Property and Development Manager Keith Beal says Read more
The Christchurch diocese is calling on international expertise to make sure the restoration of its earthquake damaged cathedral, if possible, is consistent with Catholic traditions. American architect James McCrery arrived from Washington DC this week and saw the cathedral for the first time on Tuesday. In an article in the NationaL Catholic Register McCrery is Read more
CERA has given its approval under Section 38 to take down parts of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Christchurch New Zealand. The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch has capped the cost for this first stage of the restoration at $45 million. It is seeking to fundraise raise $15 million of that total. The proposed Read more
Plans to retain and restore parts of the Catholic cathedral could be jeopardised by approval delays, Christchurch diocese leaders claim. In June, the diocese applied to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) for a section 38 notice. They had expected a decision in weeks but are still waiting approval. A section 38 notice would give Read more
Comparisons between the progress made at Barbadoes St and in Cathedral Square are unhelpful, but perhaps inevitable, says an editorial in the Christchurch newspaper, The Press. The editorial explains how public reaction to the two Churches has differed and suggest the reason can be found in their history and current use. Since the earthquakes, debate Read more
Something beautiful happened in Barbados St recently The Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament was once more illuminated, its sacred magnificence shining out to the city, proclaiming “Ecce Tabernaculum Dei cum Hominibus” (behold the dwelling place of God among His peoples’). A recording of a choir singing a Thomas Tallis motet played as many people gathered Read more
The process for developing concepts for repair / strengthening of churches in the diocese of Christchurch, New Zealand, is approximately 75% completed. Since the earthquakes in in 2010 and 2011, the Diocese has been working with engineering consultants OPUS in assessing and learning to understand the impact that the earthquakes have had on diocesan property. Read more
The fate of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch’s Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is becoming clearer, as new information is released on the state of the current building and land. Board chairman Lance Ryan said there were many complex issues affecting the decision making, but they had discovered new information on the state of the Read more