The Catholic Diocese of Auckland is appalled that consent has been sought to allow the building of a massive 15-storey brothel in the central city which will compound the growing number of brothels (both legal and illegal), pawn brokers and massage parlours which have sprung up in recent times around the Sky Tower right in the heart of town.

“We hear much from our city’s leaders about how we want Auckland City to become a world-class city, because of its many attractions and its beautiful aspects,” said Bishop Pat Dunn, Catholic Bishop of Auckland, whose cathedral church is just two short blocks away from the proposed 15-storey brothel.

“The recent development of the Viaduct and the development of St Patrick’s Square has greatly enhanced the central city area,” Bishop Pat Dunn said.

“Our city cannot expect to be a beautiful, family-friendly place when the council allows the proliferation of such dubious activities right in our midst,” he said. “Instead, we are seeing the development of a decidedly tacky culture and the encouragement of activities which will harm the lives of large numbers of people.”

Bishop Dunn says it is ironical that only recently the childcare centre in the ANZ Centre, a short distance from the proposed new brothel, was demolished, in order to allow significant redevelopment of the site, bringing considerable inconvenience to families living in the central city area. “We see that financial advantage clearly outweighs the public good in decisions made by property developers and by our city fathers whose responsibility it is to promote the wellbeing of our citizens,” the bishop said.

For more information, contact Lyndsay Freer: phone 021 272 4895