The national Catholic newspaper Sept. 20 - Oct. 3, 2020 • No. 598 Christchurch Wellington cathedral demolition students question plan approved politicians 20 www.nzcatholic.org.nz 2 NZ News NZ Catholic: Sept. 20 - Oct. 3, 2020 Christchurch cathedral demolition plan approved by NZ CATHOLIC staff the 1870s, by Halmshaw and Sons, and was beautifully restored in 1978 by the Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) South Island Organ Company, which has has approved the Catholic Diocese of indicated to the diocese and the salvage Christchurch's demolition plan for the Ca­ company their commitment to rescuing thedral of the Blessed Sacrament. the organ, once a necessary new inspection This is in accordance with the condi­ confirms the viability of its present condi­ tions of a section 38 notice- an emergency tion and a safe method of removal. If found earthquake-related provision in the Canter­ viable, I am sure that financial backing and bury Earthquake Recovery Act. strong support from local organists will A LINZ spokesperson told NZ Catholic be forthcoming. It is regarded by organ that the diocese intends to start decon­ historians as one of the finest instruments struction work this month. of its time - comparable to a magnificent According to a report on Stuff, the dem­ old Steinway piano or Stradivarius violin. olition work will start at the eastern end From its first home, in the wooden pro-ca­ of the building, firstly removing unstable thedral, to its transplanting in 1905 to our arches and other hazardous elements. stone building, it faithfully accompanied The roof and other high and overhead el­ congregations, choirs and orchestras and ements will follow. The Barbadoes St front­ performed an extensive solo repertoire. age will be the final section demolished. Other valuable artistic treasures associ­ The overall cost of the demolition will ated with our cathedral music are also at be $1.8million, reportedly, and it will take Bishop Paul Martin, SM, in front of the cathedral site last year (Photo: risk. The "Magnificat" stained glass window a year to complete. Mina Amso) by Phillip Trusttum, which uses chant mo- Bishop Paul Martin, SM, announced the tifs, was inaugurated with a setting by com­ demolition of the earthquake-damaged A new cathedral precinct is planned for a site poser Dorothy Buchanan. The "Stations of cathedral in August last year. adjacent to Victoria Square. the Cross" by Llew Summers have been celebrated There was media coverage in the first week • NZ Catholic invited Don Whelan, organist in poetry by Bernadette Hall and in the "Stations" of September this year, after stone angels at the at the cathedral for more than five decades, for Symphony by Antony Ritchie. cathedral were removed by crane. A LINZ spokes­ his reaction to the upcoming demolition. Mr The most recent new cathedrals built in the US man was reported as saying that this was not Whelan was also asked what items he especial­ proudly incorporate windows and other objects demolition work. ly hoped could be recovered and maybe used from demolished local churches, just as our or­ There were calls from several people, including again, bearing in mind considerations of safety gan, which had been intended for a neo-Gothic Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel, for the diocese and cost. Mr Whelan's response is below:- wooden structure, was moved to a grand classical to try to preserve various items from the cathedral. Having been asked by the editor for my feelings building- first above the sanctuary, then to the Bishop Martin was reported as saying that he upon hearing of the "upcoming demolition of the choir gallery. was sad to demolish the cathedral, adding that building", I am extremely sad to witness the down­ With financial support, it would be encouraging the site remains very hazardous and dangerous. fall of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, to see the cathedral's artistic patrimony safeguard­ While the cathedral's angels and some stone in which I have served as cathedral organist for ed. We, the Church, are the only custodians of our columns will be salvaged, "any other salvage activ­ over 51 years. My particular concern is that the wonderful treasury of Catholic music and artistic ities will be opportunistic in nature, and subject to internationally-renowned instrument, for which I creation, and we should be held to account for its being able to safely access areas of the building". was appointed in 1969, is likely to be completely preservation. The diocese has reportedly spent more than destroyed, as the current demolition plan allows Pope Francis has called many times for our $1 million preserving and cataloguing items re­ only for opportunistic salvage, which I discovered Church to be a listening Church. May my plea for covered from the cathedral so far. by asking the site foreman. our cultural heritage be heard by all those with In another story, Stuff reported that heritage The main organ was built in Birmingham, in ears to hear in this matter. campaigners had abandoned their legal fight to prevent demolition of the cathedral, which was completed in 1905. Akld liturgy conference postponed by NZ CATHOLIC staff would have to be at alert level 1, these were listed on the notice. * at which more than 100 people There is no cost for these videos. The Worshipping Under are allowed at gatherings. "You might like to gather NZCatholic*** Southern Skies 2020 confer­ Since that cannot be guaran­ in small groups to watch the Pompallier Diocesan Centre, 30 New Street, Ponsonby, ence, scheduled to be held in teed, the organising committee presentations and discuss the Auckland in early October this made the decision not to pro­ content," the notice suggested. Auckland. P.O. Box 147-000, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144. year, has been postponed for a ceed this year. Since organ­ "Finally, in this trying time Phone: (09) 360-3067 or (09) 378-4380. year because of uncertainty over isers believe such an event will of life in a Covid world, I would Email: [email protected] Covid-19 restrictions. "offer huge benefits", it was like to thank you for staying Website: www.nzcatholic.org.nz The conference, which had a not cancelled, but rather was patient, staying kind, staying Publisher: Bishop Patrick Dunn theme of "Weaving together Lit­ postponed. connected, staying positive and Editor: Michael Otto Journalist: Rowena Orejana urgy and Life", was scheduled to "More information on this will staying flexible. These are such Marketing and Administration: Claudia Cachay be held at Auckland's Baradene become available over the fol­ important gifts," Ms Courtney Design & Advertising: Anne Rose College on October 1-3, 2020. It lowing months. Stay in touch," added. Advertising enquiries contact: has been postponed until Octo­ the website notice stated. Among those listed as pre­ [email protected] ber 7-9, 2021. Those who have paid regis­ senters for the now-postponed In a note on the conference's tration already will receive a full conference were Australian Jesu­ NZ Catholic is published fortnightly. Subscriptions: One website (www.wuss.org.nz), refund, the notice added. it Fr Richard Leonard, Auckland year, $73; two years, $135. Overseas airmail extra. The Auckland diocese liturgy centre A series of digital presen­ auxiliary Bishop Michael Gielen, contents of NZ Catholic are copyright and permission to coordinator Judith Courtney tations from conference pre­ National Liturgy Office director reprint must be obtained in advance. ISSN 117 4-0086 wrote that, in order for the senters is to be made available, Fr John O'Connor and Auck­ Member Australasian Religious Press Association and conference to have proceeded starting on October 2/3 this land-based theologians Dr Rocio Australasian Catholic Press Association as planned this year, Auckland year. Details on how to access Figueroa and Fr Merv Duffy, SM. St Dominic's TIM GOULDING, MARIA WEST, JOHANN ROCHA, LYNETTE DUNCAN Catholic College AND JOHN PAUL GOULDING THE LEGION OF MARY Founded by the Dominican Sisters Barristers and Solicitors To Jesus through Mary. Serving the Church. VERITAS Catholic School For Girls Years 7-13 DANIEL OVERTON & GOULDING 33 Selwyn Street Onehunga. PO Box 13017 Onehunga • School families gathered in prayer at home Ph 09 622 2222 Fax 09 622 2555 www.doglaw.co.nz Visit us online: at 3.20pm on 11 September. www.legionofmary.org.nz • Extensive support for the college from the Write to us: wider community. KEMP BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS [email protected] • Large group of students preparing for their 25 Oraha Road Huapai Auckland PO Box 600 Kumeu "The harvest is rich but the sacraments. Auckland 0841 labourers are few." • Open morning 9am: Friday 16 October Ph 09 41 2 6000 Fax 09 412 6016 Join us today. www.stdoms.ac.nz Email [email protected] NZ Catholic: Sept. 20 - Oct. 3, 2020 NZ News 3 Pandemic fuels conspiracy theories by ROWENA OREJANA growing more prominent after the Amazon synod in 2019. The pandemic has provided "the perfect storm "The most basic thing about conspiracy theory for conspiracy theories" around the world, theories thinking is that it ends up being self-sealing and which are now creeping into New Zealand, and into immune to counter evidence. Anything can be the lives of some Catholics in this country. turned into evidence for the conspiracy theory, University of Auckland senior lecturer Dr because anything that runs counter to the theory Danny Osborne defined conspiracy theory as "a is read as evidence of a cover-up," Dr Salkeld said. belief that large-scale and/or important events He said that studies show almost anyone can be are secretly caused by powerful, but malevolent, vulnerable to conspiracy theory thinking. people/groups".