Synod resolves to work together to safeguard Cathedral building
About 200 synod members, observers, volunteers and diocesan staff gathered April 18 at Christ Church Cathedral with one aim in mind: ponder the future of the cathedral that is in need of upwards of $18 million in repairs and a $5 million endowment fund.
The special session of synod, the 140th, was called as the Cathedral’s Bishop and Chapter and the congregation debate options for the nearly 175-year-old church building.
Since 2023, the Cathedral congregation has debated the issue, looked at the options and chosen the formation of an independent foundation as the best way forward, noting it was not ideal, but necessary to open avenues for funding not normally accessible to religious buildings.
But at the special session, synod members rejected the notion of a secular foundation that might include deconsecrating the Mother Church of the diocese, instead favouring prayer, discernment, faith and more planning to avoid losing the iconic building.
“I hoped the day would lead to a good discussion about the Cathedral, its position in the diocese and peoples' feelings about the situation,” said Archbishop David Edwards. “I believe it did that very well.”
FROM THE ARCHBISHOP
During his address to delegates, Archbishop David talked about Bishop John Medley’s aims and design for the Cathedral.
In the UK in 1851, the first census revealed only 50 per cent of citizens attended church — a shock that led to a massive church construction project, all in an effort to stop the moral and social collapse of the country.
“The style here is intended to lift us up. It’s a sacred place, a building with a message, responding to the age in which it was built.
“What is the message we wish to convey now? In this age, with the breakdown of relationships, I believe we must proclaim the message of Christ.”
The archbishop told those gathered that he believes the Cathedral can become an even greater place of community — a place of worship and a community hub.
But getting there is an issue.
“It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the scale of what lies before us. I know I am,” he said. “But as we make our deliberations, we need to invite the Holy Spirit.”
Archbishop David referred to the gospel reading of the day, where Jesus calmed the Sea of Galilee.
“Do not be afraid. I believe we are to be faithful and active in seeking God’s will as God guides us.”
THE BUSINESS
Chancellor David Bell gave a primer on the three types of synods, this one being “special.” He also noted any voting required only an overall majority, rather than a two-thirds majority among both the laity and clergy.
There was one motion before synod, which was introduced. Then David Bell suggested the usual rules be suspended so delegates could speak during what he called “a period of informal discussion.”
The original motion read as follows:
Motion 2026–140–01 – Safeguarding the Fabric of Christ Church Cathedral
MOVED THAT this Synod advise the Bishop that, after such further consultation as he considers useful with the Cathedral Bishop and Chapter, Diocesan Council and Synod Finance Committee, and any other stakeholders, and with the agreement and cooperation of any of those bodies as necessary, the Bishop (current or successor), take such steps as s/he considers proper for safeguarding the fabric of Christ Church Cathedral for the present and future, including such possible measures as transfer of the Cathedral (deconsecrated, if necessary) and surrounding property to a secular foundation, sale of Cathedral Memorial Hall, development of the vacant lot on Church Street, and/or reconfiguration of the Cathedral nave.
Secretary of Synod Cheryl Jacobs noted that at the seven Greater Chapter meetings held in the month before synod, there was support for helping in some way; a lack of overwhelming support for a foundation; and a desire to make the building more relevant to the community.
She noted that the original study on fundraising options referred to "enlarging the vision of the Cathedral."
With that, members lined up at the microphones to speak.
The Rev. Mike Caines: I plan to vote in favour of the motion, mostly because I trust the leadership of the diocese.
Tom Fetter, Cathedral member: We wanted to have happen exactly what is happening today… We need to be saying this is a diocesan resource… At the Greater Chapter, I heard someone say, ‘I haven’t been in the Cathedral for the last 15-20 years.’ That suggests we haven’t been thinking of it as a community hub….
I’m terrified at the dollar figure like everybody else is. I’m also terrified by the demographic. We need to look at the demographic as an asset, in legacy giving.
Canon Chris VanBuskirk: I will be voting against the motion... What is our duty? Is it too difficult a task? Is it too expensive? … We will be judged on how we deal with this building, on our faith or lack of faith. Maybe the Lord is setting this thing before us to say, ‘do you have faith to be drawn together, to learn what the Body of Christ is all about.’
The Rev. Chris Ketch: I find myself feeling overwhelmed, but mostly excited and hopeful. I feel it’s the Lord forcing an opportunity — to explore what we are in the family of Christ. Instead of fretting over the building, let’s explore how God will use this as an opportunity… Do we have faith to explore how we might exist differently in the Body of Christ?
The Rev. Jasmine Chandra: We’ve been through a renovation project at Stone Church (Saint John). The tower needed immediate repairs. During COVID we had 30 people attending. We felt panic, sleepless nights.
What was happening was fearful, but it freed us to reach beyond ourselves to reach out to the community. What we’ve seen is our congregation more than double. There was huge interest from the community, not just in the building but in the gospel message.
We found the right contractors, and some have come back to work at a discount or free, saying they like what we do.
Our message is this: the only way it’s come together is divine intervention. Even the contractors say it.
We have an incredible opportunity. What we see today is a coming together as a diocese to see the Cathedral as a hub, a centre of excellence in worship.
This is not just the responsibility of the Cathedral congregation. This is something we take on as a diocese.
I’ll only be in favour of the motion if you take out the parts about deconsecration and the secular foundation. The answer is not in grants available to a foundation.
Ethan De Jong, Christ Church Cathedral: There is an importance of place, beauty and history here, a connection to the past. I went to school in a Catholic school gymnasium. It was very different from here. For me it’s been revolutionary [being here].
Young people feel the old things are being cast away before we get a chance to experience them.
The Rev. Christopher Tapera: In 2008 in Zimbabwe, we had a bishop who decided to run the diocese like a military camp. He went to the president. We were forced to leave our church buildings.
We started worshipping under trees, in parks, in schools. It took eight years to get our properties back.
We were able to build new churches. Where did we get the money from? How did we pay salaries? Only God knows.
When we got our properties back, there was no money. The bishop had spent it all. So we trusted God. It was a very difficult time, but we trusted in God. We were able to build 26 new churches, but we had no money.
Your grace, I plead with you, keep this church going until Kingdom comes. Let us not sell the Cathedral, let us not deconsecrate it. Let us ask God to guide us to save this sacred church.
Trevor Holder: Collectively, the diocese has failed to drive home the importance of the Cathedral ministry. We have to come together to explain and enhance the mission and ministry of the Cathedral or we’ll be here in five or ten years time doing this again.
After lunch, the meeting reconvened with the rules of order in place.
An amendment to the motion was offered by Jasmine and Christopher Tapera. The motion to amend passed by a strong majority and then the amended motion passed almost unanimously.
A second motion was then offered by Trevor and Jasmine, and after some friendly amendments, was overwhelmingly accepted. All of this business was not without more discussion, however.
Jasmine: I feel as if we’ve felt the movement of the Holy Spirit. I feel we’re not ready to give up. We don’t yet want to look at deconsecration, and we don’t yet want to look at a secular foundation. We want to see where God guides us.
Canon Greg McMullin: I trust my bishop and those who give him wise counsel. Deconsecration and a secular foundation make me nervous.
The Rev. Chris McMullen: This [amendment] doesn’t preclude a foundation… They simply aren’t the focus. So I support this amendment.
In his closing remarks, Archbishop David thanked everyone who participated in any way, from the members to the volunteers. He also gave his assent to the motions.
And he cautioned members, and the entire diocese, to pray and discern in the coming day, weeks and months.
“As we have been reminded, our hope is in God, not in ourselves. The other thing to remember is we cannot dictate to God what God wants.
“What we’ve said is we want to retain this building. We have to look at this as a diocesan issue and work together. We have to be committed to that.
“We believe this is what God wants, and we believe the Spirit has led us to this point. But we still have to listen to the Spirit.
“The way forward, even in a way we think God wants, can become uncomfortable. God will lead us in ways we never imagined. I ask for your prayers. What has been said is in some ways easy. To live up to that will require a work of the Spirit."
The gathering ended with Evening Prayer.
Canon Jon Lownds, an honorary assistant at the Cathedral, was encouraged by what took place.
“The significant thing about today is the number of people who showed up,” he said. “The number of people who showed up is a sign. This is a diocesan problem and they owned it.”
Motion 1, as amended:
THAT this Synod advise the Bishop that, after such further consultation as he considers useful with the Cathedral Bishop and Chapter, Diocesan Council and Synod Finance Committee, and any other stakeholders, and with the agreement and cooperation of any of those bodies as necessary, the Bishop (current or successor), take such steps as s/he considers proper for safeguarding the fabric of Christ Church Cathedral for the present and future.
Motion 2:
THAT
1. This Synod reaffirm that the mission and life and facilities of the Cathedral are part of the responsibility of all New Brunswick Anglicans.
2. This Synod request the Diocesan Council take steps to enable the Cathedral to widen its presence and ministry throughout the Diocese of Fredericton.
Photo captions:
1. As Cathedral parishioner and synod delegate Tom Fetter speaks, diocesan HR officer Ben Bourque readies to ring the bell indicating time is up. Derwin Gowan photo
2. Synod member Joanie Richardson, Parish of St. George, speaks during the Special Session of Synod on April 18 at Christ Church Cathedral. At right is the Rev. Dan McMullen. Gary Barfitt photo
3. The Rev. Jasmine Chandra speaks of God's provision for Stone Church in Saint John. Gary Barfitt photo
4. Archbishop David Edwards, at centre, with the Rev. Mike Caines at the microphone. Derwin Gowan photo