Patricia Allan analyses the years of debate about the future of the earthquake damaged Christchurch Cathedral in terms of Social Drama Rebuild or pull it down- why was the future of Christchurch Cathedral such a controversial issue? Was it a contest of power between ‘the old boys’ network’ of Christchurch and the Anglican Church? Was it because the Bishop was a Canadian woman? Were misogyny and xenophobia the underlying themes? Was it about the identity of Christchurch being closely tied to the Cathedral as ‘icon of the city’? Was this a contest of power- economic, political, cultural and ecclesiastical power? Patricia Allen believes it was a contest of … [Read more...]