Attacks on Bishop ‘repeated and vicious’

Martin van Beynen states (May 27) that ‘‘the only intelligent and sensible way forward is to restore the cathedral to its former state’’. When the cost of a new contemporary cathedral would be much less than restoring the old one which would have ongoing insurance costs of around $300,000 a year, who is being intelligent? The cathedral may on today’s costings be rebuilt for $105 million, but what will be the cost in even a year’s time.

The Bishop should resign? Because she doesn’t agree with your point of views Martin? Perhaps she should, but not because you think she is wrong, but because she has had to put up with repeated and sometimes vicious attacks, and a lesser person may have walked away from it all. If the Anglican synod backs the call for a new cathedral, I can imagine Martin and others throwing more arrows her way and throwing even more toys out of their cots. Brian Preddy Casebrook

Cost-saving design a must

Bishop Matthews should be allowed to build a new church as eg; drawn by Warren & Mahoney. It would save the church $60m and further interest costs. It would give Christchurch an inspiring, contemporary building for all.

Nicky Wagner should override consent and heritage issues as the damaged building is of nil architectural importance, unlike the Catholic cathedral, which really is beautiful. In my opinion, Martin van Beynen has got it wrong. Ron Williams Sumner