Moran Chapel in Dunedin Octagon to close

Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley said it was a “difficult and painful” decision to close a place of prayer that was loved by so many.

It had been decided to keep the chapel after a community consultation process that received 40 responses in September last year. However, after a review of Dunedin Diocese’s buildings and ongoing financial commitments, Bishop Dooley and the diocesan College of Consultors revisited that decision and chose to close the Moran Chapel.

“We must be prudent stewards of our resources and ensure that our assets serve the greater good of the whole Diocese,” Bishop Dooley said.

Attendance at the chapel had declined and the revenue from donations at Mass no longer covered its operating costs, which fell on the Diocese instead. The decision had been made to spend financial resources on other parishes with greater need.

The chapel opened in the 1960s and used to house some Dunedin Diocese offices. The space occupied by the chapel will be leased to another organisation.

People can still attend Mass at several locations in Dunedin including St Joseph’s Cathedral, Dunedin North, North-East Valley and St Patrick’s Basilica in Mercy Parish in South Dunedin.

FULL STORY

Moran Chapel set to close this week (By Mark Walls/Otago Daily Times)