Christchurch Cathedral

Mark from Belfast

I do feel strongly about this subject and wonder how many others out there feel the same way. but have not spoken up. I am very upset the the Christchurch Council are to give ten million dollars of rate payers (our) money to help restore the Christchurch Cathedral. In this age of user pays why should this happen? How can this happen?

What would ten million dollars do for the homeless, the sick or the elderly? What would it do to help those still suffering the effects of earthquakes both physical and mental? This is insane!

At a time when all our social services are woefully under funded how can it be right to waste so much public money on this crazyness. What would Jesus say and do? Even the most pious know the answer to that one.

This is not about religion or the belief system, I do not want to get into that long winded and unprovable argument, this is about doing the right thing with public money by the people that need it.

It is simply a case of needs versus wants, no more, no less.

The rate payers are not a bottomless pit of cash for churches, statues or new cars for council staff. Next time you are in town go into the West End car park, lift to the top floor and take a look at the amount of nice shiny vehicles that are lined up with the council logo on them...it is astounding.

I for one will not be paying any part of my rates to support this self indulgent project, anyone else feel the same way?