The Latin Rite Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch is a suffragan diocese of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. Its cathedral and see city are located in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. It was formed on 5 May 1887 from a portion of the territory of the Diocese of Wellington, which was elevated to archdiocese later that same month. Bishops of Christchurch Lyons was translated to become Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Australia in 1950. Martin was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington, New Zealand in 2021. Current bishop Michael Gielen Bishops other than ordinaries Coadjutor bishops Denis William Hanrahan (1984–1985) Barry Jones (2006–2007) Auxiliary bishops John Cunneen (1992–1995), appointed Bishop here Affiliated bishops Charles Drennan, appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Palmerston North in 2011; succeeded 2012; resigned 2019 Stephen Lowe, appointed Bishop of Hamilton in New Zealand in 2014 Cathedral and churches Cathedrals Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (demolished) Christchurch Catholic Cathedral (to be completed by 2025) Pro-cathedral St Mary's Pro-Cathedral Churchs St Mary's Catholic Church, Hokitika. Following a structural assessment triggered by the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the church was closed to the public in June 2012. Chapel of the Snows at McMurdo Station on Ross Island, Antarctica. For 57 years, the diocese was responsible for sending priests to the non-denominational Christian. This practice was stopped in 2015. It is the second southernmost religious building in the world. Secondary schools Catholic Cathedral College, Christchurch John Paul II High School, Greymouth Marian College, Christchurch Roncalli College, Timaru St Bede's College, Papanui, Christchurch St Thomas of Canterbury College, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch Villa Maria College, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch See also Holy Cross Seminary Holy Name Seminary Father Bernard O'Brien SJ Roman Catholicism in New Zealand List of New Zealand Catholic bishops References External links Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch Religion in Christchurch 1887 establishments in New Zealand