The Anglican diocese recently sold St Albans via a trust. The church is now being used by the Sons of the Redeemer, also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists.

The group has drawn controversy over reported illicit exorcism practices and over unlicensed priests presiding over the Mass.

Reports raised questions about whether the vendors knowingly transferred the property to the group.

However, the Anglican Diocese clarified that the trust's stated purpose did not reveal any links to the Alpine Redemptorists.

They maintain a strong relationship with Bishop Michael Gielen and have kept him informed throughout the sale process.

"Bishop Michael and I have been in communication in the course of the past week" the Anglican bishop of Christchurch Dr Peter Carroll told CathNews.

"He understands that we sold the church in good faith to a potential ownership trust whose stated purposes betrayed no connection with the Alpine Redemptorists.

"We sold the church via a lawyer for a trust to be formed" Carroll explained.

"The name of the trust concerned a group styled ‘friends of St Albans'.

"At no point in our dealings with the lawyer was there information provided that identified that the effective owner would turn out be the Transalpine Redemptorists."

Earlier this month CathNews reported that the "booted" Transalpine Redemptorists acquired a historic chapel.

Catholic Bishop Michael Gielen earlier this year ordered the Transalpine Redemptorists to leave the Christchurch Catholic Diocese.

He also ordered four of its priests to cease celebrating Mass and not to conduct other "priestly ministry" for anyone outside the religious community.

"It is important to underline that the removal of faculties remains in force, so any Masses the priests celebrate with members of the public are illicit - outside the law of the Church", said Monsignor Brendan Daly, the canon lawyer acting for the Diocese of Christchurch.

Gielen's decision followed a Vatican investigation into serious allegations against the Order, including sexual grooming and unauthorised exorcisms.

In early November, the Transalpine Redemptorists announced on its "Latin Mass Chaplaincy Christchurch" Facebook page that it had acquired St Albans Church in Ohoka, North Canterbury.

Sources

• Supplied: Anglican Diocese of Christchurch
• CathNews

The appointment was announced in Rome overnight and comes into effect immediately.

Archbishop of Wellington, Cardinal John Dew says he is delighted with the appointment, which comes at a time of a heavy workload in the Wellington Diocese.

"He is well known to clergy and many people of the diocese, and will be warmly welcomed by all," says Dew.

"I am fully confident that he will lead the diocese into the future with new vision and energy."

As a coadjutor archbishop with papal appointment, Archbishop Martin is a collaborator with Dew in the governance of a diocese, with authority to substitute for Dew in his absence and a right to automatic succession upon Dew's death, resignation, or transfer. (Canon 403).

On May 5, 2021, Dew turns 73, and at age 75 is required by Canon Law to submit his resignation to the Pope.

The appointment came as a surprise to Martin.

"I will be sorry to leave the diocese of Christchurch and the work we have been doing. However it is a privilege to take up this role in the Church of Wellington and I look forward to being with the people in the Archdiocese again," he said in a statement from Catholic Communications.

Martin will maintain his southern connection by acting as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Christchurch until the Pope appoints a new bishop.

Born in Hastings in 1967, as a Marist priest, Martin worked in several New Zealand dioceses and for a short while in Rome as Bursar General for the Society of Mary.

However, when consecrated Bishop of Christchurch Martin said, "I am no longer a wandering religious, Christchurch is my home".

Once he got his 'feet under the desk', Martin developed a reputation for tackling big jobs and made the decision to demolish the earthquake-damaged Catholic cathedral in Christchurch and as part of a $500m "North of the Square" development, build a new cathedral in the centre of the city adjacent to Victoria Square.

At the time Martin called the new development a community and commercial collaboration between the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, Crown regeneration company Otakaro Limited and big-city developers, the Carter Group.

The decision to demolish the cathedral and re-site it in the middle of the city is still seen as controversial by some.

An editorial in The Press agreed "the loss of the magnificent Barbadoes St basilica will be mourned" but adds " its remoteness from city life, will not."

Then, faced with a shortage of clergy, in another significant decision, Martin decided to adopt a five "super-parish" model for Christchurch city parishes.

Criticised by some, for the way he made the super-parish decision, Martin said he took on board the concerns to the proposed changes but that after consultation with the people he thought most people were prepared to step into the new era.

"I believe there is a majority support and enthusiasm for the proposal outlined and a clear direction has emerged," he said.

In a statement on Christchurch Catholic website, Archbishop Paul asks that the people of Christchurch keep him in their prayers as he will keep the diocese in his.

Martin's appointment leaves two dioceses, Palmerston North and now Christchurch without a diocesan bishop.

The Palmerston North diocese has been without a bishop since October 4, 2019, and it took nearly two years before Martin's appointment, succeeding Bishop Barry Jones was announced.

Sources

• Supplied: Catholic Communications
• CathNews
• CathNews
• Stuff
• Canon Law of the Catholic Church

The diocese has about $30m from insurance but the total cost of a complete restoration is estimated to be in the region of $100 million.

That leaves about $70m to be obtained from fund-raising.

Martin has questioned the morality of using that amount of money on restoring the Cathedral when it could be spent on programmes like low-cost housing.

"Do we really want to ask people for $70m plus for the church? ... It is a lot of money."

"We are trying to make sure it's not just about buildings, but it is about people as well."

Martin said he wanted more information before making a final decision.

"The decision to be made is: do we restore it and what will that cost? Or do we say it was the nicest Catholic church in the country but it's too badly damaged and will cost too much to restore and we'll start again?" he said.

Martin is exploring other options, including building a new cathedral on a more central Christchurch site.

He plans to ask architects to draw up concepts for what a new cathedral might look like on a $40m budget.

The bishop said he thought a lot of people never went into the cathedral because they did not walk past it.

"We want the church to be part of the life of the city and say 'come in'. If you are further out people only go there deliberately rather than pop in like they may have done with the Anglican cathedral."

"Just because we have been on Barbadoes St for 100 plus years it doesn't mean that we have to be there for the next 100. We could look at other places if they are seen as desirable."

Dr Anna Crighton of the Christchurch Heritage Trust said Martin's reconsideration on the cathedral was a "turnaround".

"I think there would be a lot of people out there that would be concerned about that," she said.

"All we can do is hope that he will honour the past decision that it would be restored."

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

Martin, ordained the tenth Bishop of Christchurch on 3 March 2018, by Cardinal John Dew, succeeds Bishop Barry Jones, who died in February 2016.

In a ceremony involving Latin, Maori and English, Pope Francis' diplomatic representative to New Zealand, Archbishop Martin Krebs, read the pope's message mandating Martin's appointment.

Service, not honour

Speaking at the ordination Dew highlighted the important role of service in the life of a bishop.

"Service is never far from the mind of a bishop", he said.

"A bishop's role is not one of honour but of function; striving to serve rather than rule".

Addressing the people of Christchurch, he told them, "Today you are gifted with someone who is ready to serve you.

"I am sure the people of Christchurch will delight in Bishop Paul as someone who is here with you and for you".

Describing Martin as a "humble servant", he told the congregation that the only authority Martin had was that of service.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Martin spoke with raw honesty and showed what a gift he will be to the diocese of Christchurch.

Thanking his family, particularly his mother and late father, he said, "I am very blessed being born into a family that is stable, loving, and showed me what living a Christian life looks like."

He continued, "Growing up in Hastings, there were 14 Marists living in the presbytery and so I had lots of great examples of how Marist life could be lived.

"I could see myself living that way also.

"So today, I am who I am because of my natural family and religious family."

Reflecting on his 24 years of priestly ministry in various dioceses in New Zealand he told the people that he now belonged to them.

"I'm no longer a wandering religious. Christchurch is my home", he said.

Installation as bishop

On Sunday, Martin presided at St Mary's pro-Cathedral for the first time.

In his first homily as Bishop of Christchurch he told the congregation that we may use words to express our faith, but what is important in life is what we do.

"If we are to be Christian, actions must be consistent with our words", he said.

Post Christchurch earthquake, Martin is faced with a major decision whether to rebuild the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

The estimated cost of rebuilding the Cathedral is $100m.

Making reference to the scheduled Sunday Gospel reading about the money lenders in the temple, a good-humoured Martin smiled saying, "I hope the choice of Gospel reading is not a sign of things to come."

Calling the appointment 'a fresh start' and a 'new beginning for the diocese', those attending the ceremonies were optimistic about the choice of Martin as their bishop.

Martin is aged 50 and will serve as bishop until aged 75 when it is mandated he offers the pope his resignation.

Sources:

• Image: Christchurch Diocese

Students from Marion College have, for six years, operated from a temporary building.

Currently, Marian College is sited at the southern end of the earthquake-damaged cathedral.

"They have had a whole generation of students go through since the earthquakes", he told The Press.

A new site for Marion College has not been identified.

In addition to re-sitting Marian College, a major decision surrounds the rebuilding of the Catholic Cathedral.

The estimated cost of rebuilding the Blessed Sacrament Cathedral is $70m.

Around eight earthquake affected churches in the diocese also need to be rebuilt.

Martin said he will assess the work done to date on the Cathedral and consult around the diocese before making a decision.

New bishop hopeful

Martin confessed to The Press that sexual abuse had done serious harm to the Church and its message.

He said sexual abuse by clergy makes it more challenging to promote many good things the Church does.

"The perception of the church is often not as positive as we would like it to be", he said.

Admitting the frail nature of humanity, Martin however is confident new procedures are helping prevent further instances of clergy sexual abuse.

He understands that for some whatever the Church does it will never make amends.

Despite the challenges, Martin remains hopeful.

He hopes the example of Pope Francis will inspire many and encourage dialogue between those of different opinions.

On Saturday 3 March, Martin will become Catholic Bishop of Christchurch.

Cardinal John Dew will officiate at the ordination ceremony.

The ceremony is being held at 1,400 capacity Christchurch Boys' High School Auditorium.

Source

• The Press
• Bishop Hierarchy
• Image: Stuff

Father Paul Martin will be 10th Catholic Bishop of Christchurch. His ordination is expected to be next year, possibly in February.

One of the important issues he will need to address is the restoration of the quake-damaged Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

As news of his appointment was announced, Martin said "I'd like to express what a privilege it is to be chosen to serve in the Diocese of Christchurch as bishop, following in the footsteps of those before me. I am really looking forward to taking up this ministry and leading the diocese."

Bishop Patrick Dunn, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference welcomed the appointment.

"We know that he will bring a new voice and a valuable perspective to our discussions," he said.

"It is wonderful for Christchurch that they will receive a bishop who has worked with a range of communities, has extensive pastoral experience and comes to the role with a wealth of knowledge and expertise."

Dunn also took the opportunity to thank Father Rick Loughnan who has been the Diocesan Administrator in Christchurch since the death of Jones.

Loughnan has welcome the appoint of the new bishop too. "We are delighted with the appointment by Pope Francis and look forward to welcoming bishop-elect Paul with open arms," he said.

Provincial of the Society of Mary, Fr David Kennerley said Martin has a broad range of talents. "Administratively very capable, people readily acknowledge his warm pastoral approach", he said.

Martin was born in Hastings in 1967, one of five children. He entered formation for the Society of Mary in February 1985 and studied in theology and arts at Victoria University in Wellington.

He completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum University in Rome and studied to become a teacher.

Martin taught english and religious education in New Zealand and has held the roles of rector at St Patrick's College in Wellington and Deputy Rector in Pastoral Care at St Bede's College, Christchurch.

Although his main ministry has been in education, after his ordination in 1993 he spent time as part of the Maori pastoral team in the South Hokianga. He was also a chaplain at Hato Paora College in 2002 and 2003.

Read the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference Media release.

Source

• Supplied Amanda Gregan. New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• The Press
• Zenit
• The Society of Mary New Zealand
• Image: George Driver Stuff

"We are ready to go in a sense, but we can't do anything that compromises the bishop's decision," said the administrator of the Christchurch Diocese Fr Rick Loughnan.

He said the process of appointing a new bishop was being organised by the papal nuncio, Archbishop Martin Krebs.

"I have no idea where the process is. The process is done in secret," Loughnan said.

"[Krebs] sets out to find who may be suitable. He draws up some names and then sends them out to people who might know those people."

"He sends three names to Rome where they are discussed by a congregation. They make a recommendation to the Pope, who makes the final decision."

The process could take "quite a long time".

Loughnan said they are going to propose to the new bishop that they restore the cathedral, possibly with some new lightweight materials in some places.

He says they are confident that they can raise money needed.

Consultants had been appointed to help with the fundraising effort for the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament along with parish buildings and new churches.

The diocese has about $30m for the $100m cathedral restoration project.

Loughnan said the remaining $70 million could be raised in the diocese, overseas and in the local community.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: facebook.com

Burial will take place after the Mass at Bromley Cemetery.

He will be taken to the Carmelite Monastery on Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday afternoon the Bishop will rest at Te Rangimarie Centre.

He will then lie in state at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral from Wednesday 7.30pm.

A Vigil Mass will take place at the Pro-Cathedral at 7pm on Thursday.

Bishop Jones died in Christchurch in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He had been readmitted to Christchurch Hospital on Friday after suffering a heart attack.

His health had been declining over the last few months following several strokes.

Father Rick Loughnan has been elected Administrator of the Diocese entrusted with the authority to run the diocese until a new bishop is appointed.

Loughnan said Jones had displayed "graciousness, patience, and gratitude to those who helped care for him" during his last few months of life.

"He has provided sterling leadership of the Diocese particularly in the exceptional circumstances following the earthquakes."

A new bishop will be appointed by the Pope after consultation between the Vatican and members of the church in New Zealand.

Cardinal John Dew, president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, said Jones was a man of "great and unwavering faith."

"He was a humble and stoic man and this was particularly so in the face of his recent illness."

Jones was born in Rangiora on August 29, 1941, and went to school at St Joseph's Convent Primary and St Bede's College.

He studied for priesthood at Christchurch's Holy Name Seminary and Mosgiel's Holy Cross College, before being ordained as a priest in Rangiora on July 4, 1966.

He served at various parishes and ministries in Timaru, Christchurch, Akaroa, Burnham and the West Coast.

Jones was ordained Coadjutor Bishop of Christchurch in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch on 4 October, 2006.

He was installed as Bishop for the Christchurch Diocese on 4 May, 2007.

He was:

• NZCBC representative on Prison Chaplaincy Service of Aotearoa New Zealand Board
• NZCBC representative on the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy
• Bishop member of Te Runanga o te Hahi Katorika ki Aotearoa
• A member of the Catholic Bishops Committee for Ecumenism and Anglican-Catholic Bilateral Dialogue
• A member of the NZCBC Commission for the Church in Society

Dew said Jones was a "proud Canterbury man . . . especially fond of his home town of Rangiora."

"The suffering and distress of those living in Christchurch during and after the earthquakes was always close to mind for him and he would often express to those of us outside of Canterbury the kind of challenges and daily stresses that the people of Christchurch were experiencing.

"He would often be mindful and express the needs of those that were most vulnerable, such was his empathy and pastoral nature."

Jones had a "dry sense of humour", which would be greatly missed, along with his wisdom and pastoral insights, Dew said.

"He was a man of few words, but unafraid to speak his mind and always with wisdom. He had an incredible sense of social justice, a grasp of tikanga Maori and was fluent in te reo."

Haere atu e te Rangatira o te Hahi, i roto i te korowai o te Atua.

Moe mai e Pa, moe mai.

Source

• New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• stuff.co.nz
• www.catholic.org.nz
• Image: www.chch.catholic.org.nz