From the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia

The Diocese of Christchurch is grieving the death of the Dean of Christchurch, the Very Rev’d Lynda Patterson.

Lynda died at home of natural causes after a recent illness. She was aged 40.

The Bishop of Christchurch, Victoria Matthews, says Lynda spoke of the God she loved, in all she did and said.

“Lynda was highly respected across the Diocese and Province and we all benefitted from her extraordinary preaching and teaching. She was also a great pastor who brought both compassion and appropriate humour to every situation.”

Bishop Victoria has asked for prayer for Lynda’s father and extended family in Northern Ireland.

The Archbishops of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, have asked for prayer for the Cathedral family to remember Lynda, a priest who called others to prayer for the glory of God.

Taught at Oxford University

Lynda Patterson first visited Christchurch in 2002 while on sabbatical from teaching theology at Oxford University.

She had studied theology at Oxford and lectured there for 12 years. 

Her first year in New Zealand involved becoming "acclimatised to New Zealand culture", learning Maori and studying for church ministry.

She was appointed Director of Theology House in Merivale in 2006, as well as assistant to Dean Peter Beck at the Cathedral.

She became Theologian-in-Residence in 2008, and took over the role of Dean last October.