After much debate, prayer and waiting, the site for the new Christchurch Catholic Cathedral has been announced. On Sunday, Christchurch diocese’s Catholic bishop, Michael Gielen, announced the decision to use the Barbados Street site. It will be on the same site which the beautiful Petrie-designed Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament occupied until the 2011 earthquake destroyed Read more
Christchurch Diocese General Manager Simon Thompson told CathNews that a decision as to where Christchurch’s new Catholic cathedral will be located is still some way off. Consultation phase complete A wide range of views has been sought to provide the diocese with the means to make a well-supported decision. Some of these came from technical Read more
In a historic move towards unity, Anglican and Catholic bishops from across the globe gathered for the ‘Growing Together’ summit, a testament to their commitment to bridge centuries-old divides. The Growing Together summit, known as the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), was held from 22-29 January in Rome and Canterbury. Anglican Read more
In a significant about turn, Christchurch bishop Michael Gielen is proposing Barbadoes Street, the location of the original cathedral, as his preferred site for a new Christchurch Cathedral. The new thinking marks a departure from the construction plan on Armagh Street. As part of the change in thinking, Bishop Gielen has initiated consultations with professional Read more
In the wake of recent events in Christchurch involving the fringe group “Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer” and their alleged exorcisms, a critical examination of the Church’s stance on pre-Vatican II Latin Mass rites is both timely and necessary. This group’s actions have them being accused of operating as a law unto themselves, disrespecting Read more
Liturgical Theologian Dr Joe Grayland questions why fringe groups such as the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer are tolerated. “They do not belong to the mainstream of the Church and do not follow the ordinary form of the Mass promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1969 (Novus Ordo). Last week, NewsHub alleged the Sons of Read more
The Vatican has responded to Bishop of Christchurch Michael Gielen’s request for help dealing with unauthorised exorcisms and related spiritual abuse in the Diocese. The retired bishop of Toowoomba, Robert McGuckin (pictured), has been tasked with conducting an Apostolic Visitation to investigate the allegations. The former professor of Canon Law at the University of Notre Read more
Following allegations of unauthorised exorcisms, Bishop Michael Gielen has suspended all exorcisms in the Christchurch diocese and ordered a comprehensive review of the practice. Gielen is currently in Portugal at World Youth Day. The announcement arrives in the wake of a report by TV3 journalist Michael Morrah that exposed alleged unapproved exorcisms conducted by the Read more
A new Christchurch Cathedral is a step further ahead with the Catholic diocese advertising for a Fundraising and Development manager. The role is newly created, and the successful person will work closely with the bishop, general manager and senior leadership team to provide revenue growth, supporting the diocese’s mission. In the position’s Candidate Brief, the Read more
The Catholic men’s breakfast held on May 13 in Christchurch had a record number of men gathering at Sacred Heart Church in Addington. The breakfast, organised by Christchurch diocese, was attended by some 200 men. They travelled to Sacred Heart church in Addington to receive spiritual food from Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen, and to meet Read more