St Mary's cathedral in New Plymouth was closed in January because it meets only 15% of the new building standards.

The Bishop of Taranaki, Archbishop Philip Richardson, announced Peter Beck's appointment last Friday.

Richardson said that he could "think of no one better qualified, or with more relevant experience, to lead the people of St Mary's… as they face the challenges of ministry in the heart of the City of New Plymouth, while also addressing the urgent need to fix the earthquake-prone building".

Beck was dean of Christ Church Cathedral from 2002 until the end of 2011, when he made the "tough" decision to resign.

At the time there were claims his position was made "untenable" by Bishop Victoria Matthews.

He went on to successfully stand for a seat on the Christchurch City Council.

Beck's time in Christchurch had been dotted with highs and lows, he said.

"Being the dean of Christ Church, to me, was the very best job in the church in the country - the cathedral is very much the heart and soul of the city".

"Of course the earthquakes were a huge lowlight for all of us," Beck said.

One of his "lasting hopes" as he left Christchurch was for a decision on the future of the cathedral to be made "sooner rather than later".

"It's been very sad to see what's happened the last couple of years."

Beck said his time as a city councillor was also an "interesting challenge", but one he "really quite enjoyed".

Prior to his role as dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Beck served in team ministries in the United Kingdom and in the Diocese of Auckland.

His time in Auckland included two ministries at St Luke's Mt Albert and St Matthews in the City.

Richardson said Beck had developed a well deserved reputation for community engagement and leadership.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• anglicantaonga.org.nz
• Image: anglicantaonga.org.nz

The Catholic Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament leaders are considering whether to restore the building for more than $100m or build a new cathedral for about $40m.

"I am still 50-50. Half of me wants to restore it to its former glory and half wants to build a new one," said board chairman Lance Ryan. "I am trying to get a decision from the engineers by Christmas," he said.

A similar decision faces the Anglicans. Divisions became apparent with the resignation of the Dean of the Cathedral, Peter Beck, last week. It is said Bishop Matthews appears to favour demolishing the cathedral and building a new church, either on the same site or elsewhere. Beck, it is said, wants to repair the cathedral and restore it to its former glory.

They also disagree over the distribution of fundraising money - the bishop wanting to scatter the money among all of Christchurch's parishes. The bishop is said to have taken full control of all decisions, leaving Beck out in the cold.

Source

• The Christchurch Press - A Tale of Two Cathedrals
• The Christchurch Press - Bishop at odds with some over future of Catheral
• Image: Popsci and ASC

Beck announced his resignation from the cathedral on Wednesday to contest a Christchurch City Council seat in a by-election.

A senior member of the cathedral broke ranks yesterday, criticising Matthews and questioning if she should remain as bishop.