Plans for Christchurch’s new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament have been unveiled, 16 years after a major earthquake damaged the city’s Catholic cathedral. Source: Christchurch Diocese.
Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen wrote a pastoral letter that was read at Masses across the Diocese on Sunday, marking the official launch of the campaign to build the new cathedral.
In the letter, Bishop Gielen said the Catholic faithful of today have the “responsibility” and “privilege” of building a cathedral – something the city’s first bishop carried out more than 120 years ago.
During 2024, following periods of public consultation, Bishop Gielen announced that the cathedral would be built on the site of the former cathedral on Barbadoes Street and that it would retain the name Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
In the two years since, significant work has been undertaken to develop the Cathedral’s design, in partnership with architect Warren and Mahoney.
Bishop Gielen believes people will see in the design “a cathedral that glorifies God, that serves as a beacon of faith in our city, that responds to the realities of the present day”.
Tony Brazier, who is leading the cathedral campaign, said a focus on financial prudence and sustainable building, alongside the aspiration for beauty and dignity, saw a $NZ80 million ($66.3m) budget emerge for the project.
That will cover the 800-seat cathedral, an attached Perpetual Adoration chapel and a community centre. Landscaping, parking and other external aspects of the project are also included in that budget.
Mr Brazier said about $NZ45m of the funds needed to build the cathedral will come from insurance proceeds and the sale of diocesan assets. Of the $NZ35m required through fundraising, more than $NZ19m has already been found.
“I have been struck by the generosity of people who recognise what a sign of hope our Cathedral will be for Christchurch and our region,” he said.
“That generosity has been seen around New Zealand and from people of other faith traditions.”
Details: blessedsacrament.nz
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(Christchurch Diocese)
