Many Catholics in Canterbury celebrated a fourth Easter in makeshift facilities. Christchurch’s Catholic diocese has more than 50 properties in Canterbury and the West Coast to be either strengthened, repaired or rebuilt. About 75 per cent of the strategies have been finalised. Diocesan financial administrator Paddy Beban said although progress could have been faster, he Read more
The Christchurch Diocese has been providing insurance cover for property to the value of $260 million, and this year’s policy to November 30 cost $379,000. The policy is with Ansvar and expires on November 30. Christchurch diocesan financial administrator Paddy Beban says the diocese was shopping around to see what insurance company and what policy Read more
Last week the High Court at Auckland approved a plan proposed by ACS (New Zealand), known as a scheme of arrangement. ACS New Zealand is the largest insurer of churches and heritage buildings, and its creditors include Christchurch’s Catholic and Anglican cathedrals. In February the company, formally known as Ansvar, changed its name to ACS (New Read more
There will be several months before any decision on 20 Catholic chuches in Canterbury can be made.
Five churches have been demolished, and a further 16, including the Basilica, have been out of action since December.
Financial Administrator, Paddy Beban, says at this stage the bill for rebuilding and repairing the churches is in excess of $120 million.
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