St Catherine's now has Friends

Fears that Okaihau's St Catherine's Church might be sold were eased last month when a Bishop-appointed management group told a public meeting that a bequest was expected to solve a major financial problem, and now the community has taken another step towards protecting it for future generations.

Twelve of the 30 people who attended a public meeting, chaired by local farmer Rex Faithfull, in Okaihau on Tuesday evening to further discuss concerns for the future of St Catherine's were appointed as the basis for a Friends of St Catherine's group.

Local businessman Ken Rintoul was unanimously selected to chair the group, with Janice Graham as secretary.

St Catherine's is one of four churches that make up the Waimate North Parish (the others being St John's at Waimate North, Holy Trinity, at Pakaraka, and St Stephen's, in Kaikohe). The parish became a 'mission district' following the resignation of all but one of the Parish Vestry members, and Bishop Jim White, assistant bishop of the Auckland Diocese, subsequently appointed a management group.

That in turn led to expressions of deep concern over indications that the Diocesan Council favoured disposal of both St Catherine's and St Stephen's (although management group chairman Roger Wyatt emphasised last month that it had never been intended to 'sell' either church). The suggestion was made at that meeting that a local person should be appointed to attend meetings of the management group.

Mr Faithfull, who has served as the sexton at St Catherine's for many, many years told Tuesday's meeting that financing both the church and cemetery maintenance had never been a problem. Apart from insurance the local people had always been there to help, with no need for or financial support from the diocese.

Meanwhile there are still concerns in Kaikohe that neither Bishop White, the management group nor nor the priest in charge of the parish, Rev Sarah Stevens-Cross, have indicated what is planned for St Stephen's (although Mr Wyatt told last month's meeting that "one or two parties," including the Maori pastorate, were interested in using it).