Christchurch is not my city, and (although nominally an Anglican) Christchurch Cathedral is not my church. Also, I have little money to contribute to any restoration project that goes ahead. Ultimately, it’s not my decision to make. But I think we should restore Christchurch Cathedral.
Late yesterday afternoon my son took me to see the centre of Christchurch. We parked on Manchester Street. I didn’t even recognise it. Christchurch is a city of rubble and parking lots. The devastation is immense. Nearly two and a half years after the February 2011 earthquake that killed 185 people, restoration of the CBD has hardly even started. I was moved to tears. It’s heartbreaking, and I’m a Wellingtonian.
The Cathedral is the heart of Christchurch. I think it would be good for the people of Christchurch to see the Cathedral restored. If it’s what the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch wants, I hope they restore the Cathedral to its former glory sooner rather than later.
Also in The Weekend Press, Mayor Parker quits.
Who is “we”?
NZ Taxpayers? Christchurch ratepayers? Nominal Anglicans?
Consenting adults.
Rest assured, Reed, my libertarian credentials are impeccable. š
The cathedral took over 100 years to build. It may well take 100 years to rebuild. Such is the life of cathedrals.
Whether it is really ‘worth’ rebuilding Christchurch at all is another question – frankly i think better to have left it to rot. NZ simply cannot afford a “rebuild”
Electing the communist Dalziel to replace the incompetent Parker will only make matters much worse, of course.
Well I’m a born and bred cantabrian who still resides in Christchurch. Our city is a wonderful place to live and is eventually going to be the most vibrant and safest city in the world. Many who are voicing an opinion over the Cathedral have never even set foot inside the building, to them it’s just a picture on a postcard. For me Christchurch isn’t about the Cathedral, it’s about our Hagley Park, the Avon river, the Port Hills, the botanic gardens. While buildings crumbled these were the things that remained and forever will. Walk around our city on any given day and this is where you will find the visitors, those wanting a slice of the Garden City.