tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post4676206132492775193..comments2024-03-29T17:55:30.203+13:00Comments on Anglican Down Under: More questions than answers?Peter Carrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-69042118313153630132011-11-06T11:17:21.768+13:002011-11-06T11:17:21.768+13:00Hi Fr. Ron,
The opinion I gave comes from my own,...Hi Fr. Ron,<br /><br />The opinion I gave comes from my own, personal reflection on what could be the fate of Nelson Cathedral, given that Nelson has a known earthquake risk. I think there are a number of issues (short-term and long-term) facing Christchurch Cathedral, which Nelson would also face in similar circumstances.<br /><br />I also need to acknowledge that for me this is a hypothetical consideration, whereas for you, Peter and everyone in Chch it is a lived reality. In truth, I don't what I would think or feel, unless it happens here. <br /><br />Also, I agree that the Cardboard Cathedral seems to offer a reasonable, innovative way forward in the medium term. <br /><br />(NB: I'm currently a member of a another Nelson township parish and not the Nelson Cathedral parish. I was a member of the Nelson Cathedral parish from 1989-1997)Scott Mayernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-88380191189104383602011-11-04T17:05:06.096+13:002011-11-04T17:05:06.096+13:00Scott Mayer. If the same were to happen to the Cat...Scott Mayer. If the same were to happen to the Cathedral in nelson, would you offer the same advice?<br /><br />One further thought to mine, expressed earlier (as a citizen of Christchurch and an active retired priest in the Diocese), is that perhaps CERA might give some thought as to the acceptability of the 'Cardboard Cathedral' being erected on the Cathedral site. Would this be a way through for us? <br />At least, there would be a building on a site owned by the Church, that could be a focus of post-quake lifeFather Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-18772334188882920402011-11-04T15:28:18.230+13:002011-11-04T15:28:18.230+13:00Hi Peter,
Greetings from not-so-sunny Nelson!
Pi...Hi Peter,<br /><br />Greetings from not-so-sunny Nelson!<br /><br />Picking up on your final comment, “At root, the cathedral is a diocesan property on diocesan land for which repairs, maintenance and insurance have been the responsibility of the church and not the civic authorities: but who is in charge of its future? Church (legally) or people (effectively)?”, I think you correct that this is the root issue.<br /><br />I think that it raises a deeper issue, which may need to be addressed first – what is the place of the (Anglican?) church in a secular, multi-cultural, multi-faith community, such as Christchurch (or anyway else in NZ)? I think that the answer to this determines whether there should be a cathedral – or any other kind of specifically and distinctly christian building – there at all.<br /><br />I have the impression that the Anglican church in NZ has an unconscious tendency to behave as though it was NZ's 'established' church in the same manner as the CoE, and one way that this tendency manifests itself in public comments to the effect that the rebuilt cathedral should be at the physical 'heart' of Christchurch (this is not a criticism of +Victoria, who I believe has made such comments, only of the assumptions that underpin them), whereas – I say this tentatively as an non-Christchurch resident – it may not be at the spiritual 'heart' of the city at all. <br /><br />Personally, I would gift the cathedral site to the civic authorities, and seek a different location of the building of a new diocesan cathedral.<br /><br />(I realise I may be covering ground which has been well pick over in previous posts)Scott Mayernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-47747813336128714212011-11-04T10:54:07.105+13:002011-11-04T10:54:07.105+13:00Peter, can there be any doubt that CERA, at presen...Peter, can there be any doubt that CERA, at present, has the rule of Law on its side - so that, whatever the Cathedral authorities might have in mind fr the disposition of the Cathedral, they are bound to comply with CERA?<br /><br />There is more at stake than the Cathedral here; for instance, the needs of public safety, and the need for a coherent City Plan. Should the Church stand in the way, or insist on 'Her Rights'? That is a matter for all of us to decided, But how to do that, is the harder question.Father Ron Smithnoreply@blogger.com