The following is a message to Christchurch from Bishop David Coles.

Bishop David served as the Dean of the now stricken ChristChurch Cathedral from 1984 to 1990, and he was the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch from 1990 to 2008.

He is now based in Queenstown, where he serves as the Vicar of Wakatipu in the Diocese of Dunedin.

There are red and black bumper stickers all around Queenstown today declaring ‘Kia Kaha Christchurch’.

As we gathered in the centre of town at 12.51pm today, I led prayers for Christchurch and all its people.

There were hundreds of people wearing red and black in solidarity with you all as we weep with you.

Having worked for 24 years in the Diocese of Christchurch first as Dean, then as the Anglican Bishop of Christchurch… it is heart rending to see the suffering, the pain and the devastation. 

We hear each day more of the names of the dead and injured.

Some of the houses I lived in, and many of the glorious churches I was privileged to minister in, as well as social service facilities and rest homes and homes of friends and neighbours are all but gone. 

It is a sobering spiritual experience to ask the question: “When all you ever had is gone, what is left?” 

I find it encouraging to realize how at times like this, the words of Scripture often seem to leap off the page. 

How often have we read those words of St Paul from the Letter to the Romans?  

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation (including earthquakes!) will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Romans 8:37-9)

I am convinced that Christchurch will rise again from the debris and the dust of February 22. 

Changed, unrecognisable in places, but still with a strong heart and an indomitable spirit. The church too will emerge with new energy and vision and hope.

I will never forget James K. Baxter speaking in Christchurch Cathedral’s pulpit – barefoot and with utter simplicity.

Today,  I remember some of his words:

 Lord, Holy Spirit

 In the love of friends you are building a new house,

 Heaven is with us when you are with us.

This comes with a very big hug and constant prayer for you all. 

 Kia Kaha Christchurch!

Bishop David Coles