A name for Christchurch’s Catholic cathedral is likely to be decided and announced next month. Further input from the diocese’s Catholic community is being sought to help choose between those still on offer after numerous suggestions were pared back. The name search began last month when Christchurch’s Bishop Michael Gielen initiated a survey. He invited Read more
A pastoral letter from Bishop Michael Gielen has been read at Masses in the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch over the weekend. It launched a process of finding a name for the new Catholic cathedral. Catholics are being invited to suggest a name and offer an explanation why they believe it would be a fitting choice. Read more
It’s been a bruising April for many of Christchurch’s iconic landmarks, venues and events, teetering under the weight of their own financial turmoil. The Arts Centre’s management team continues to sound the threatening drumbeat of insolvency if the ratepayer doesn’t rush to their rescue. (The doom-mongering hasn’t stopped them frittering lavish operational sums on their Read more
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 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
Under a contentious plan, the building of a new Christchurch Catholic cathedral precinct will proceed. Earlier this year, after opposition from a small group of parishioners, Bishop Michael Gielen paused plans for the new central city precinct. On Sunday, Gielen wrote to congregations saying the diocese’s post-earthquake project – including most parish mergers – could 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
New Council recommendations may see Christchurch’s new Catholic Cathedral precinct and 600-space parking building go ahead after all. This will come as a relief to developers and the Christchurch Catholic diocese. The diocese was providing $30 million towards development costs – funds it raised for the purpose. Plans with developers were well underway last month Read more
Three days after not allowing the printing or publication of a letter concerning parish restructuring and rebuilding a new Cathedral, bishop of Christchurch, Michael Gielen, released the letter. The 29 March move came after there was considerable interest in the letter’s contents, particularly from Catholics who could not be at Mass on the Sunday it Read more