Bishop to stand by cathedral synod plan

A decision on the future of the Christ Church Cathedral will be made by the Anglican synod in September, regardless of whether the Government comes up with a better restoration deal, says Bishop Victoria Matthews.

‘‘I have said it will go to synod, so we will go to synod,’’ she said yesterday.

The Government is in negotiations with Anglican leaders to break deadlock over the earthquake damaged cathedral, which is holding up regeneration of central Christchurch.

A Government offer to help restore the cathedral involves the majority of the $104 million construction cost of restoration being funded by the Anglican’s $42m insurance payout, a $10m government grant, a $15m Government loan and a $15m funding pledge from campaign group the Great Christchurch Buildings Trust (GCBT).

Matthews announced earlier this month that the Anglican synod would vote in September on the deal.

Matthews said the Church Property Trustees (CPT), which control Anglican land and buildings, agreed to a Government deal being discussed in December, but that offer was withdrawn on December 21 and replaced in February with a deal they felt was poorer. Cabinet met to discuss a potential restoration deal on December 20.

Matthews would not comment on what aspects of the deal were dropped from December to February. ‘‘I am not prepared to be that specific,’’ she said.

It is understood parties discussed the Government underwriting restoration if fundraising fell short.

The synod is a 225-member governing body for Canterbury Anglicans that includes elected lay members and priests.

Matthews said if the Government came back with a better offer it would still be considered by synod in September.

‘‘Many many hundreds and thousands of years ago, [Greek philosopher] Heraclitus said you can’t step into the same river twice because it changes. I think it applies to this . . . Has the relationship changed?

‘‘Also, I wouldn’t be able to speak to that because whereas it was in the hands of a smaller group of people and I was the chair before, it is now going to Synod.

‘‘If they come back with the same or better deal tomorrow the best I could say is thank you very much but I will take this to Synod.’’

Christchurch Regeneration Minister Nicky Wagner said any deal being discussed with Anglicans before the December 20 cabinet meeting was just a ‘‘draft’’.

‘‘There was only one offer. There may have been discussions, but nothing exists until it is signed off by cabinet. It is like a draft until it is signed off.’’

Wagner said she was still hoping for an agreed solution to the cathedral.

Matthews said the synod could not be held any earlier than September as it required three months notice. Matthews said: ‘‘We were interested in the possibility of an earlier date, but it was a matter of days so decided we would stay with the date in September.’’

In an interview with RNZ, Matthews said the church had sought two legal opinions regarding the legality of removing the building, should that option be chosen.

Both said it was likely the church would win any challenge, she said.

She framed the debate as a ‘‘moral question’’ and reiterated her personal view that the cathedral be replaced.

‘‘Is this the time to reinstate a heritage building that in England would be seen as a large parish church? It’s not of global significance, it’s not the Taj Mahal.’’