The Cathedral Management Board has met with Don Miskell, principal of Boffa Miskell, the lead company in a consortium of businesses that will design the central city rebuild, and discussed the place of the Basilica in the new plan, the church's strong links with the city and the future of the area surrounding the Basilica.

With 20,000 people expected to be living within the four avenues over the next 30 years, and the close proximity of the eastern green belt, it is important to understand the face of the new city.

One option that is gaining traction is the retention of the north and western walls of the Basilica as a memorial.

These can be braced and made safe and stand as a reminder of the magnificent building that stood on the site for over a century. The diocese could then talk to the owners of the adjacent former convent site about building a new Cathedral in that area. This is only an option, as there is still need to understand the soil and underlying status of the possible site.

If, in the end, the advice received is that it is impossible to rebuild the Basilica on the present site, the Board has agreed to recommend to Bishop Jones that a relic of the Cathedral will be left, which will be protected and preserved, as a memory of the earthquakes. Honorary Cathedral Architect Simon Pascoe is preparing a report, with the Bishop having the final decision.

Source:

• Chch diocese newsletter
• Image: apriestdown under

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