Christchurch, New Zealand, Jun 16, 2011 / 23:24 pm
The already damaged cathedral in Christchurch, New Zealand was hit again by new wave of earthquakes that struck the country this week.
Bishop of Christchurch Barry Jones expressed sadness over the further destruction to the local Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, but said he was grateful that “no lives were lost” after two major earthquakes rocked the city on June 13.
The management at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral said the building “ sustained substantial damage” in the recent disaster. The cathedral had been closed since September of last year when a non-fatal temblor caused damage to the church.
This year's Feb. 22 earthquake – which killed over 180 people and has been described as New Zealand's worst natural disaster in history – shattered the cathedral's stained glass, destroyed its bell towers and shook the foundations.