An assessment has found the building's structural integrity to be just 15 per cent of the standard for a new building.

This means there would be a significant risk to occupants if there was an earthquake.

While Sacred Heart Cathedral is closed, weekday masses will in the short term take place at Sacred Heart Cathedral school.

Sunday masses will be celebrated at St Mary's College Hall, Guildford Terrace.

A spokesperson said while the detailed planning for remediation work has not started yet, it is likely that the building will be closed for several years.

The restoration work will cost several million.

The Cathedral Parish will be enlisting the help of the people of Wellington and others to preserve this Wellington landmark.

Following a verbal report from structural and civil engineers, Dunning and Thornton, the Parish Committee has been working through a process of due diligence regarding the structural condition of the Cathedral.

On Thursday it received a peer review of the detailed seismic assessment (DSA) that recently advised that the Cathedral was ‘earthquake prone' under the Building Act 2004.

Both reports have confirmed that the Cathedral currently presents a significant risk to occupants in the event of an earthquake.

In the 1980s the Cathedral was strengthened and the complex enlarged to include the foyer, Blessed Sacrament Chapel and Connolly Hall.

This work was done well and the building elements that were strengthened are rated well above the 33% minimum of NBS.

However, at roof level, ceiling diaphragms are insufficient to carry loads under the current building codes.

This has resulted in a lower earthquake rating being applied to the building.

Sacred Heart Cathedral, designed by architect Francis Petre, was opened in 1901.

In contrast to most other Wellington churches, its classical rather than Gothic styling has made it a prominent building on the Thorndon landscape.

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Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops/Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: Supplied New Zealand Catholic Bishops

The building, which was first issued with a safety notice six years ago, has a "risk of failure" in the event of a moderate to severe earthquake. Continue reading

The intrepid group from Blenheim's Elim Church meet regularly to go out in their trucks to places out of reach to more conventional vehicles.

The kind-hearted crew have decided to combine the best of both worlds and head off-road into the Clarence Valley area to help families hit hard by the November 2016 earthquake. Continue reading

She was making an oral submission on the 2017 Budget to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.

"We have heard from local tangata whenua that they are concerned the iwi voice is missing in the decisions made in the earthquake recovery," she continued.

"We support the government prioritising a response to the Kaikoura earthquakes, but the response must also address the impact on the health and psychosocial well-being of people and their communities," Hickey said.

The submission sited the local Kaikoura community affected by the earthquake and communities in New Zealand who will be most affected by climate change as examples of vulnerable groups that should be prioritised.

Hickey drew the committee's attention to the lack of consideration given to climate change impacts on New Zealand's vulnerable communities, despite Dr Jan Wright (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment) discussing last year with the same committee the fiscal implications of sea level rise and the importance of central government leading adaptation efforts.

"We see that it is inconsistent to prioritise paying down debt in order to increase our resilience to economic shocks and natural disasters, and then to not prioritise mitigating and adapting to climate change," she said.

Other issues covered in the submission included:

• Affordable and stable home for all
• Protecting migrants rights

Download a PDF file of the written submission

Source

• Supplied
• Image: www.caritas.org.nz

"I will visit the priests based there and the local Catholic parish and Catholic primary school and Takahanga Marae which has been providing accommodation, meals and support in the days following the first earthquake."

"While there is much physical repairing to do, people are also feeling unsafe, uncertain and worried for their livelihoods and their homes."

"I plan to speak with them and hear how they've been affected, their fears and concerns and see what we can do to support them practically too."

"I will be going with staff from Catholic Social Services, our Turanga Maori Adviser, and our national social justice & humanitarian agency Caritas.

"I also plan to do a Mass in Maori and have some prayer time with them, to help bring some comfort in this difficult time."

Dew was in Rome when news broke of the first earthquake, "Kaikoura is part of my diocese and while overseas I kept up to date with news and updates about the situation," he said.

"I was very concerned, and wanted to visit with people when I returned and there was access."

Pope Francis and local Italians, having recently experienced large earthquakes, expressed deep concern for the people of New Zealand.

"Pope Francis spoke to me at the closing Mass for the Year of Mercy, despite speaking to many people, he came to me and said very sincerely that he was praying for New Zealand following the earthquake and expressed his concern for the welfare of people affected,"

Kaikoura is part of Father Pat's Te Whetu o Te Moana - Star of the Sea Marlborough Parish which covers all of the Marlborough region and part of North Canterbury.

He lives in Blenheim. Even before the earthquake, it was a 2 hour drive form Blenheim to Kaikoura. Now the earthquakes have cut off all road and rail access.

McIndoe is planning to stay in Kaikoura until next Monday.

To the south, Fr John O'Connor, who is the parish priest pf Good Shepherd Hurunui says "An overwhelmingly positive response to the clean-up of the church at Waiau before the 7.00pm Mass (on Saturday).

"I arrived at 6.30 after the Hanmer Springs Mass to find the church and grounds abuzz with activity and by 6.45 the church was spotless with lawns mowed and the whole place looking even better than it did before the earthquakes."

He said the only sombre moment was when the statues of Our Lady and St Anthony, each in 1000 pieces, were carried from the church.

"Then we celebrated Mass with a great crowd of workers from all over the parish. Immediately after Mass one of the team appeared with cold beer and good wine and we stood around outside enjoying the great company."

He then went on Cheviot where "we will do the same at Cheviot with clean-up at 9 and Mass at 10," he said

The diocese of Christchurch is instigating an initiative to support those in the Hurunui area who have be affeted by the eathquakes.

People have been are invited to provide food parcels/care packages with home baking, chocolate, treats for families.

These packages will be distributed by the various churches.to those affaected by the earthquakes in the Hurunui area.

The food parcels/care packages can be dropped off at St Joseph's Parish, corner Main North Road and Vagues Road, Papanui or Cathedral House, Unit 2, 9 Washington Way from Tuesday 22nd to Thursday 24th November.

People have been asked to put items in supermarket bags for ease of distribution.

Any queries phone Cathedral House 366 9869.

Source

• Supplied
• catholicphilly.com
• facebook.com
• catholic.org.nz
• Image:indaily.com.au

On Sunday Cardinal John wrote on his Facebook page:

"This morning St Peter's Square was filled with thousands and thousands of people celebrating the end of the Year of Mercy in which Pope Francis closed the Holy Doors of the Basilica.

At the end of the Mass he stood and greeted all the Cardinals who were present, about 160 in total.

I was the third to last and I was astounded as soon as he saw me he took both my hands and said 'I am praying for all the people of New Zealand at this time of the earthquakes.'

It is wonderful to know that he is praying for us, in turn I assured him that we are also supporting him in prayer."

Michael Otto, the editor of NZ Catholic, earlier reported that Archbishop Martin Krebs, apostolic nuncio to New Zealand, was phoned by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican's secretary for relations with states, Nov. 14.

Krebs said Archbishop Gallagher asked for information about the damages caused by the earthquake, in order to convey it to Pope Francis.

How can you help the people who have been affecetd by the eathquakes?

The area affected by the earthquake straddles the diocese of Christchurch and the archdiocese of Wellington.

If you wish to make a donation to the Christchurch Diocese:

• Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
• Account number: 03 0802 0948733-00
• Please include as a reference "EQ donation".
• To receive a tax receipt please email accounts@chch.catholic.org.nz

These funds will be used to help those within the affected area of the Diocese. The same account can be used if you wish to contribute to the Kaikoura and Wellington areas - please note in your reference.

If you wish to donate to the Wellington Archdiocese:

Make your donation throuigh Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand.
By direct deposit via the internet: into account number: 03 0518 0211216 00

Include the following details in the reference section:

• Earthquake
• Your Caritas Reference number (if known)
• Or your surname (including initials if space allows)

Caritas also recommends that you send them an email to advise them of the deposit, which Appeal you would like the donation to go towards, your postal address for receipting purposes, and your phone number if we need to contact you.

Donate offline

• By credit card: phone us on 0800 22 10 22 to make a credit card donation (during office hours: Mon-Fri 8.30-5pm).
• By automatic payment: download the automatic payment form here then post to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Freepost 689, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144.
• By cheque: send a cheque (made payable to Caritas) to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Freepost 689, PO Box 12193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144.

If you wish to donate to Diocese of Auckland

By Post to: The Catholic Caring Foundation, Private Bag 47904, Auckland 1144.

By Direct Credit: BNZ 02-0100-0242648-000
Please include your first and last name as a reference and QUAKE as the code. For a receipt, email info@caringfoundation.org.nz including your mailing address.

By donating securely online: to http://www.caringfoundation.org.nz/donate/online-donations/

• Please specify that your donation is for the QUAKE appeal.
• Please spread the word with your networks, through social media, word of mouth or by copying this statement and emailing to others.
• Run your own fundraising event and donate the proceeds to this campaign.

The Catholic Caring Foundation will publish information on the progress of this initiative.

Source

• facebook.com
• caritas.org.nz
• catholicphilly.com
• Image: newsinfo.inquirer.net