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Anglicans talk of super-cathedral

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Anglicans talk of super-cathedral

3News NZ

Christchurch Bishop Victoria Matthews (file)

Christchurch Bishop Victoria Matthews (file)

Anglicans in Christchurch are talking about rebuilding a shared super-cathedral with Catholics, a move that would be unprecedented worldwide.

Christchurch Bishop Victoria Matthews has confirmed the controversial idea has been discussed informally but is reluctant to speak publicly for fear of killing the possibility.

"There are conversations about this going on, but those conversations are with ourselves," she told Fairfax Media.

The idea had not been raised officially and had yet to be broached with Catholic leaders.

"It's fair to say there are many individuals in the diocese who would welcome the idea," Bishop Matthews said, adding that while the ChristChurch Cathedral demolition was before the High Court, the "delicate conversation" had been put on hold.

If approved, it would bring Catholics and Anglicans together under the same cathedral roof for the first time in the world since the churches split in the 16th century.

The earthquakes, which also devastated the Catholic Basilica in the central city, had already ignited a spirit of co-operation between the denominations, Bishop Matthews said, with three churches allowing the other denomination to worship separately on their site.

New Zealand's Anglican Archbishop David Moxon said he had not spoken officially about the idea with Bishop Matthews, but said they had communicated by email when someone within his clergy suggested the city should rebuild only one cathedral.

Long-time Anglican Michael Earle asked how the two Christian churches could justify spending millions to repair or rebuild both broken cathedrals, when they were suffering dwindling congregations before the quakes hit.

"How is it in the best interests of the poorest people of our community to rebuild them both? We have a God-given opportunity to do something different here."

Catholic leaders, however, are already pouring cold water on the proposal.

Christchurch's Catholic Bishop Barry Jones struggled to visualise how the two church groups could combine into one building.

"The really important part is that a cathedral is the bishop's church by definition and how you would have a building that would serve as a church of two bishops, I don't know and I can't imagine it."

NZN

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Comments

28/01/2013 7:32:53 p.m.

catholic wrote:

Great Idea, both sides just respect the other,each have their own dedicated part and times for worship, and when possible combine ( hopefully more and more) The theologans and architects, can work out the details. Where there's a will there's a way.

12/09/2012 10:28:42 a.m.

Religious guy wrote:

I think it is a good idea, not only would the new building be a world first, to be done publicly, leading the way for both religions, it would be a large step in the right direction, when there is more religious unrest in the world, is it not time to be putting aside differences, and comming together in time when it is easier to be appart than together. I for one have the belief that the two Churchs should look at it as one would look at a marrage, you go into it as two individuals, and stay as those two individuals, but you work toward a common goal, this goal is the worship of God, and his message. Let them talk about it, there is already more than enough fighting in the world, if it happens, it will once again put New Zealand on the map, and it will send a clear message to the world, that the Churchs are there for the people, not the people for the Churchs, for with out people, the most amazing Church is but an empty shell with some pretty ordiments, WE the people, make them into Churchs, and places of worship. If we can get one Church that the city of ChristChurch diserves out of this, as oposed to scraping around the coffers and making one from cardboard, and the other from who knows what, I know which idea I prefer.

10/09/2012 9:07:25 p.m.

Christchurch Quake Updates wrote:

I reckon it is great that a proposed idea is appon us for christchurch but the problem is that the basilica and Central cathedral have very complex designs and i dont really see how the two would merge in both design and the religions aand we cant discard the fact that it would billions to construct and we just dont have that kind of money to spend. My point? is stick with the rebuilding the central cathedral.

10/09/2012 10:15:55 a.m.

Mac wrote:

Bishop Matthews makes sense. Why not build one cathedral for ChCh and it could be a Memorial to the Earthquake with the names of the victims who died incorporated into it such as a wall. It doesnt mean that Catholics and Anglicans have to reunite but there are many services they could share such as the choir, carol services. They could have their sevices at different times eg sun morn sat evening etc. It works well in small communites such as the Church of the Good Shepherd lake Tekapo. Tourists call in while Mass is being said or an Anglican /prebyterian service and respectfully sit down and have a reflection time regardless of their religious beliefs. The Catholic priest will always say if you are of the faith you can come up and receive communion otherwise come forward for a blessing, and there is never a problem.
CHCH cant afford two Cathedrals, we are becoming a more secular society look at the median age of our church goers. Its time for talks.

9/09/2012 7:38:10 p.m.

CC wrote:

Unbelievable! Has she completely forgotten the protestant reformation. The gap between liberal Anglicans and those who still believe the truths the reformers fought for grows ever wider!

9/09/2012 2:56:13 p.m.

texwil wrote:

This sounds like one of the most sensible ideas that has come out of the entire cathedral discussion. As such, it will never happen. The Anglican church was too progressive for Catholics in the 16th Century. How anyone thinks they can reunite now - with the likes of opposing views on Gay Marriage etc is beyond me. I think it would be good.. but no chance.

9/09/2012 2:38:11 p.m.

Cathlican wrote:

Anglican, just another name for a Catholic, should work well!

9/09/2012 2:07:30 p.m.

Looking forward wrote:

What a brilliant idea! Cooperation of all kinds is the way forward for Christchurch and this would be an exciting development which would build a great base for moving forward.

9/09/2012 1:48:26 p.m.

shocked wrote:

It's all about the money, and after her inspirational tour who is going to pay for her big ideas! I just wish, with all my heart, that she gives the chch Cathedral to the community, we like what we have...but when will that message get through?

9/09/2012 1:43:35 p.m.

Gail wrote:

I believe there is merit in this idea. there are some within both churches who will welcome, as there are some who would deny; it's human nature. the opportunity to atempt this should not be let slip. I know of one 'double-ended' church that has been in use for many many years [the chapel in the grounds of what used to be the Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital for war veterans and their families in Brisbane.] I am sure that nothing should be allowed to get in the way of such an exciting idea. after all, it is still only an idea. it won't be a perfect'marriage', but then, neither are most mortal marriages! [personally, I'd love to see the architectural plans for such a building. Timaru has the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, just as Dunedin has the Cathedral of St Paul in the octagon, with the statue of Rabbie Burns famously turning his back to it and looking at the pub; not to mention the First Church of Otago, which is certainly not what I imagined a Protestant church would look like]. ChristChurch.... rebuild, welcome, and share with all who wish to come. [didn't the devotional candle holder in the now-crumbling building resemble a menorah, or was it just my imagination?] and on the subject, kind of, I remember the cathedral shop selling medallions based on the Rose Window. I for one would certainly buy more than one of those if they could be reproduced in Stainless steel once again. I had the choice between one of those, or one ofthe Maori crosses, and I have always regretted not having enough money for both.