Rebuilding churches

The threat of continuing earthquakes must give the Government pause for thought as to whether they should grant a substantial $10 million of public money for the rebuild of Christchurch Cathedral.

Another reason for not granting the $10m, so far not contemplated, comes from Fiji.

After Cyclone Winston devastated the Fiji islands the churches asked for government money to help them rebuild their many damaged churches.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama won’t have it. He said churches and their communities are capable of financing their own repairs. He said citizens’ homes and damaged infrastructure was the Government’s priority.

He pointed out that the Republic of Fiji is a secular state and it is not the Government’s job to rebuild any house of religion in Fiji.

But New Zealand is not a republic. It does not have a constitution declaring that it is secular, with a section separating government from religion, as does the 2013 Fijian Constitution.

Surprisingly, Sir Geoffrey Palmer’s new draft constitution does not include a section separating government from religion. Why not?

Meg Wallace, NZARH Auckland.