Bishop Matthews to tour world cathedrals

1:47 pm on 30 May 2012

The Anglican bishop of Christchurch is to visit cathedrals around the world.

Along with architects from Warren & Mahoney, Bishop Victoria Matthews will take in 12 buildings including Coventry cathedral which was bombed during World War II and St Martin-in-the-Fields in London.

She will also visit La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, as well as the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California, which was severely damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

The Restore the Cathedral group is questioning the motivation behind the bishop's trip.

Spokesperson Mark Belton says it looks like a PR stunt and questions why the bishop needs to see more cathedrals when she has probably seen hundreds during her career.

Bishop Matthews was not available for further comment.