Anglicans and Catholics are worried proposed changes to planning rules in Christchurch could make it hard for them to rebuild earthquake-damaged churches. They have both made submissions on proposed plan changes. They say under the new rules their special recognition disappears. Under the current District Plan spiritual activities involving churches are treated separately from other Read more
A church group in Christchurch New Zealand plans to build a multi-sport and recreation hub on quake-damaged Porritt Park – a project that could cost up to $8 million. The Celebration Church Lions Sports Trust, an off-shoot of the Wainoni-based Celebration Church, says it is willing to bankroll the project if the Christchurch City Council will Read more
Majestic Church leaders have been left gutted by a commissioner’s decision to decline planning permission for their proposed multimillion-dollar development in central city Christchurch. The church was seeking consent to build a chapel, auditorium, art studios, cafe, apartments and a multi-storey parking building, designed by internationally acclaimed Melbourne architect Koos de Keijzer, on the former Read more
Jim Anderton, the co-chairperson of a group fighting to save Christchurch Cathedral, the Greater Christchurch Buildings Trust (GCBT), believes the Anglican Church has over-estimated the cost of repairing the earthquake damaged cathedral. The Trust has released survey results showing more than half of Christchurch residents support restoration, 51 percent and 66 percent if privately-funded, which Read more
Christchurch City Council will provide $43,000 for a damaged Little River church, despite the building’s long-term future being uncertain. The 89-year-old heritage-listed building, opened in 1925 and owned by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, was damaged by the September 2010 earthquake. It needed strengthening and weather proofing to prevent further damage, a council report said. Read more
The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch in New Zealand has sold a damaged church in Templeton to developers. St Brendan’s church is likely to be demolished and the diocese will use the proceeds from the sale to to upgrade facilities elsewhere. The original stained glass windows and door hinges will be used in an extension to Read more
A dozen Filipino carpenters recruited to work in Christchurch’s rebuild had no work when they arrived and had to call on a Catholic advocate to get by. Recruitment and labour hire company Adecco promised fulltime jobs to the group. When they arrived on July 10, there was no work for them. Adecco, acting as the 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
Some parents of Our Lady of Fatima School students were shocked to see a sign promoting a new school that would close their own because they believed consultation on the details of the decision was open until late July. The school, in Christchurch New Zealand, is to be closed along with another school, St Paul’s Read more