Dear friends in Christ,
One of the national news that drew my attention this week was the work on the restoration of Christ Church Cathedral to be paused due to lack of funding. When I heard about it, I felt a bit emotional. But when I was watching an interview of the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch, the Rev’d Dr. Peter Carrell, by Chris Lynch Media, the bishop’s calm tone communicated in the light of faith in the midst of all the disappointment deeply inspired me.
“What happens now?” the bishop is asked. Without hesitation, the bishop is confident in the present and hopeful for the future: “We still have a transitional Cathedral and parish churches, so worship of God continues”. What fascinates me is that this clarity echoes the first words of the vision on the Cathedral Reinstatement Project Website: “To reinstate Christ Church Cathedral to the glory of God.”
It would be helpful for us to recall that in the years immediately following the 2011 earthquake, the Diocese of Christchurch had moved towards what would have been the more affordable option of demolition and rebuild. And yet, years of public debate, with litigations, interruptions and interventions claimed that the Cathedral as an icon of the city which therefore should be reinstated to the original design making restoration the only way for the diocese to move forward. Consequently, in early 2020 work began on the restoration.
However, as we all understand, it is often challenging for people to be generous when it comes to funding the decision which they have influenced and even required. While there might be a pause (not sure how long, but God is in control!) on the Cathedral site in the Square, I believe the Worship of God, mission and activity of the Anglican church continues across the diocese and beyond.
Joyfully in Christ
Yukiko
