The Diocese of Bunbury has launched its fundraising campaign to replace the cathedral destroyed by a cyclone in 2005.
Over $1.25 million of the $3 million needed has already been raised to build a new cathedral for Bunbury, Bishop Gerard Holohan of Bunbury has announced.
Meanwhile, Bunbury City council has cleared the way for the project by approving the plans for the redevelopment of the St Patrick’s Cathedral precinct that was largely destroyed by the cyclone.
The details were announced by Bishop Holohan at a fundraising campaign launch on April 7 and in an update circulated to Bunbury parishes last weekend.
Bunbury Council’s clearing of the regulatory hurdle at a meeting in early February had effectively given the green light to the appointment of the various consultants and engineers necessary for the project; these were already at work, said Bishop Holohan.
The theme of the campaign under which fundraising will be conducted is: ‘Honouring heritage, assuring the future’.
It is believed the key challenge facing the designers of a new cathedral has been to honour the history and traditions of the previous building but also to construct one suitable for future generations.
The new cathedral is expected to stand for hundreds of years, said Bishop Holohan.
The preparation of building specifications would be “an arduous task” and take several months, he said.
The rezoning of various lots and titles which make up the precinct had also been approved by the Bunbury Council and would now go to the Western Australian Planning Commission for final approval, he said.
He said the community’s response to the artist’s impressions of the new Cathedral precinct, including the panned centrepiece Cathedral building, “has been overwhelmingly positive.”
In order to save costs and make up time the site and servicing works would be separated from the building contract, enabling local businesses to work on and donate to the project.
These would include jobs such as site clearing, the building of retaining walls, and the installation of water, gas, electricity and sewage.
Clearing of the site in preparation for following building stages is the first job to accomplish, with the first building activities planned to commence in Spring, he said.
Meanwhile, Geotechnical engineers had already begun drilling on the site in order to build a soil profile and determine factors such as soil density, he said.
During the April 7 campaign launch, fundraising patron Dr Ern Manea AO spoke of the importance of a cathedral to the life of the city, describing it as an asset which must be rebuilt.
With the gradual breaking-down of Bunbury society, a sign of Christ’s message on the hill overlooking the city was more important than ever, Dr Manea told those in attendance.
Meanwhile, he said, “There are two important memories during my early years as a medical practitioner in Bunbury.
“The first is the great humanitarian work of the Sisters in the old St John of God Hospital. The other was St Patrick’s Cathedral overlooking Bunbury”“While the St John of God Hospital has relocated, it is important that Bunbury has an everlasting symbol of love and hope overlooking its city” Dr Menea said.
Campaign President Mr John Perry urged the community to give their financial support for the benefit of current and future generations.
“Eighty seven years ago the people of Bunbury faced the same challenges we are facing now. They did an outstanding job in an era substantially less affluent that ours. Community support is crucial if the campaign is to achieve its goal of raising $3.0 million and turn this project into a reality” Mr Perry said
At the launch Bishop Holohan thanked all those who have already backed the campaign.
“My deepest appreciation goes to all who have pledged their financial support and participated in this rare opportunity to rebuild the Cathedral precinct.
“The old St Patrick’s Cathedral was much more than just a Catholic building. It was a community building. The new Cathedral will continue the vital community role of the original St Patrick’s.
“With a life span measured in centuries the rebuilding of St Patrick’s will be one of the largest, most important and most enduring projects ever undertaken in Bunbury.
“Hopefully people throughout Bunbury and the surrounding regions will participate in this rare opportunity to rebuild this vital and exciting community asset.
Apart from Dr Manea, campaign patrons include emeritus Bunbury Bishop Peter Quinn and Professor Michael Quinlan.
The Campaign President is John Perry and there are 3 three Chairs for the various fundraising sectors: Chares Martella will chair the Leadership Gifts committee; Kevin O’Connell chairs the Major Gifts committee, with Pat Dillon, chairing the Community Gifts committee.