The aftermath of the Canterbury earthquakes throws up issue after issue, with the focus at the moment on the CTV building collapse and, of course, Christchurch's landmark cathedral. The latter building, or rather in this case its remains, is far more than just one congregation's place of worship.
While its spire might have been overshadowed by many of the skyscrapers of central Christchurch, it still dominated the square which takes its name. It made its way into the city council's logo, on to the masthead of the council's website and featured in many city souvenirs. Think Christchurch and think Christ Church Cathedral. This goes back, too, to the Anglican origins of Christchurch, once that most English of New Zealand towns. This was the established religion and the established building in the established heart.
After the spire and parts of the walls tumbled down, decisions had to be made. As the bulldozers and diggers continue to clear much of the central business district and as new buildings emerge from the rumble, what about what many consider the most significant building of all - the much-loved, historic and emblematic cathedral?
The Anglican Church itself, greying and increasingly impecunious like other mainstream Christian denominations in New Zealand, is in a bind. It might have treasured its special "house of God", but it knows religion should be about people and mission, not buildings.
According to the church's New Zealand website, the principles are: to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom; to teach, baptise and nurture new believers; to respond to human needs by loving service; to seek to transform unjust structures of society; to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
Naturally, there is nothing there about buildings.
The first matter is practical. Can the cathedral be restored safely?
The latest claim this week is that it can. Next comes cost. Most seem to agree that a decent restoration will be considerably more expensive than demolition and rebuilding to fit tomorrow's needs. Perhaps all the extra money could have been gathered through city, national and international fundraising. Perhaps not.
Other cities, notably Dresden after the World War 2, put effort and money into reconstruction.
Christchurch is, though, much smaller, and we live in a far more secular age. The church's plan is for careful demolition to continue, leaving walls two to three metres high. These could be part of a prayer garden during the years it takes to design and build a new cathedral.
There are many in Christchurch, indeed around New Zealand, who would dearly love to see something made of the old, rather than something new substituted. Most of these people, however, are not part of the church which owns the building and the land and which used it regularly. One test would surely come if it was proposed city money went towards reconstruction. Reeling under hefty rate rises and faced with residential crises, it is likely many residents would see a restored cathedral as nice to have, rather than essential.
It might also be better for resources to be concentrated on restoration of the arts centre and the provincial chambers. Then there is the balance against possible massive spending on a convention centre, a new stadium and cultural and arts amenities. Can the many tens of millions of dollars on the cathedral be justified with this competition?
As it is, Christchurch - more than any of the other main centres - had experienced a hollowing out of its centre before the quakes.
Tourism and accommodation had kept the Cathedral Square precinct surviving. Like so many United States cities, Christchurch was being "malled" by suburban shopping centres. The emotional centre of town was, as well, moving upstream along the Avon and towards the arts centre. The earthquake turned this slow trot into a stampede.
Demolition of the cathedral has halted for now, as different groups take stock. That is a reasonable course of action because of its importance. Nonetheless, decisions will soon have to be made.
Christchurch has to move on, and the cathedral in its historic form looks likely to be one of the costs to be borne.
