Who We Are
Under our shepherd, Bishop Michael Gielen, the Catholic Diocese of
Christchurch seeks to grow a community of disciples of Jesus Christ,
striving to strengthen and support our communities in holiness and on
mission, while proclaiming the Good News.
But we're much more than just a Church. Through the education provided by our schools, and the good works of our social services and our charities, we reach out far beyond our Church community.
Living the word of Jesus Christ, we seek to meaningfully contribute to the social fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are 28 Primary Schools
We are 7 Secondary Schools
We are 18 Parishes
We are a richly diverse, faith filled community
The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch was established by papal brief on 5 May 1887 with the new episcopy covering the West Coast and all of Canterbury. John Joseph Grimes SM was appointed bishop to the new See. Our diocesan patron saint is St John the Baptist.
Since then, the
Diocese has flourished building a strong Catholic community, across 18
parishes, that is served by diocesan and religious priests.
We
invite you to join us. We invite you to deepen your faith journey, to be
active in your faith and your faith community. We invite you connect
and build a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ.
Right: The Church of the Blessed Sacrament became the pro-Cathedral on arrival of Bishop Grimes in 1887
