NEW ZEALAND: Christchurch Cathedral on hold until risk of aftershocks eases
Episcopal News Service. September 13, 2010 [091310-05]
Cathedral Square in Christchurch, New Zealand, echoed with hymns of hope and praise on Sunday, Sept. 12, as 500 people celebrated Eucharist in the bright sunshine more than one week after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the nation's South Island.
The Christchurch Cathedral congregation held its service outdoors because the building is closed until the risk of aftershocks eases, which could take several weeks. Meanwhile, the cathedral visitors' center has been reorganized into an open space.
Christchurch Bishop Victoria Matthews, who canceled meetings in England to enable her to be present and available to the community, called on the congregation to proclaim "a message of gratitude and hope in the midst of the disorientation and dismay."
Engineers examined the cathedral stonework on Sept. 10 and confirmed the building is in very good condition. But with ongoing aftershocks there's still the risk of falling debris through fretting of stone, they said. "This is not an indication of severe structural risk but does represent a hazard to the public."
"It will take more than an earthquake to bring Christchurch down," said the Very Rev. Peter Beck, dean of Christchurch Cathedral, in a press statement.
The cathedral will continue to have priests on duty from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, said Beck, adding that the boardroom has been converted into a chapel where regular daily Holy Communion services will be held on weekdays at 12.05 p.m.
"We are still working on arrangements for our regular Sunday services and the special services planned for the next few weeks," he said.
When the aftershocks subside, engineers will make another detailed examination.
The cathedral has no significant damage or deterioration, the engineers report. "We expect the people of Christchurch to enjoy full use of the cathedral again in the future," they said.
A news story about how other Anglican churches have been affected by the earthquake is available here.