A metaphor for contemporary Anglicanism: a cardboard cathedral

From here:

The idea may sound flimsy, particularly given that cathedrals tend to be known for their solid presence: the flying buttresses, the soaring domes, the Gothic grandeur. But in the earthquake-devastated city of Christchurch, Anglican leaders believe it will deliver both a temporary solution and a statement about the city’s recovery.

On Monday, they announced plans to build a 25-meter (82-foot) high cathedral constructed with 104 tubes of cardboard. The structure will be a temporary replacement for the iconic stone Christ Church Cathedral, which was ruined last year in an earthquake that killed 185 people and destroyed much of the downtown.

The Rev. Craig Dixon, a church spokesman, said the temporary cathedral would seat 700 people, cost up to 5 million New Zealand dollars ($4.1 million), and would be used for 10 years while a permanent replacement is designed and built.

This year a cardboard cathedral, next year cardboard cut-out bishops. There is nothing new under the sun.

 

3 thoughts on “A metaphor for contemporary Anglicanism: a cardboard cathedral

  1. Does it really matter what the building is made of, so long as it does what is required? in this case, providing a sheltered space for public worship. Remember that the Israelites used a tent for the first four hundred years or so after the Exodus.

  2. $5 million to build a temporary structure. Problem with things that are meant to be temporary is that they have a habit of becoming permament. The intention is for this structure to be used for 10 years. I will be surprised if it is used for anything less than 20 years.

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