Why we support Bishop Victoria Matthews
For a considerable time we leaders of Christchurch churches have quietly observed, with growing disquiet, our colleague Bishop Victoria being ridiculed and her leadership called into doubt in numerous media reports.
Recent comments have reached a point where we feel compelled, as the leaders of other Christian denominations, to write in support of Bishop Victoria and those who hold in trust the decision-making responsibility for the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch with regard to all land and buildings owned by them.
The 2010, 2011 and 2016 earthquakes affected a considerable part of Canterbury – not just the City of Christchurch and not just the Anglican Cathedral. Destruction was widespread across the city and province.
Every denomination of the Christian Church had buildings either damaged or destroyed and yet the only one which receives continued comment and debate in the media seems to be the future of the Anglican Cathedral in the Square.
We acknowledge that the Cathedral, through its history and position, holds a special place for the people of Christchurch. However, the costs – spiritually, emotionally and financially – of all our buildings are borne by those for whom these places of worship are their spiritual home.
First and foremost the Cathedral in the Square, like all Christian Church buildings, is a place of worship to the God we know in Jesus Christ and a reminder to the wider community of God’s presence. The reason why all Christian churches exist is to make Jesus Christ known and to enable people to gather in community and worship.
The Church is not primarily a landlord tasked with caring for stone or wooden edifices. It is a community of faith in Jesus Christ tasked with making his way of life and love known.
If the Anglican Church Property Trustees had been left to make decisions as to the future of the Cathedral, as we other Christian denominations have been left to do with our buildings, then we are sure the Anglican Church Property Trustees and Bishop Victoria would not be in the unenviable place they find themselves in today of making a difficult decision that has no possibility of pleasing everyone.
The role of the wider community (including other Christian denominations) is to respect their decision (whatever it might be) as being one that is true to their understanding of their call from God, in this place, at this time.
Thank you Bishop Victoria for your leadership, your ongoing strength and your continued dedication to be true to your call of faith.
The Rev David Coster, Moderator, Alpine Presbytery
The Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
The Rev Kathryn Walters, District Superintendent, Central South Island Synod
The Methodist Church of New Zealand – Te Haahi Weteriana O Aotearoa Fr Rick Loughnan, Administrator Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. David MacGregor, Senior Pastor, Grace Vineyard Church Christchurch Nu Telea, Lead Pastor, Elim Church Christchurch Ivan Bezzant, Major Divisional Commander Southern Division The Salvation Army Ken Shelley, Senior Pastor, King’s Church Christchurch Pastor Maurice Atkinson, Regional Mission Leader,
Canterbury Westland Baptist Association of Churches
‘‘The city needs the cathedral more than the church does. A parting of the ways would be best for both.’’ Nelson Hubber