Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

27/07/2026

Experience our new Cathedral...

Drawing from a detailed design brief developed by Bishop Michael an...

26/07/2026

Sixteen years after the first major earthquake, Bishop Michael Gielen says there is a sense of joy and anticipation as plans for the new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament are unveiled.

Bishop 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, the 11th Bishop of Christchurch said the Catholic faithful of today have the “responsibility” and “privilege” of building a Cathedral – something the first bishop carried more than 120 years ago.

“Our Catholic communities have changed in the decades since Bishop Grimes led our Diocese, but our desire for beauty, for welcome and for honouring God has not,” Bishop Gielen said. Read the full media release on on our website https://cdoc.nz/news-events/plans-for-new-cathedral-released

22/02/2026

15 Years On – We Remember. We Pray. We Hope. 🌿

Today we pause to remember the 185 lives lost in the Christchurch Earthquake, 15 years ago.
We remember the families forever changed.
We remember the devastation of our city.
We remember the loss of our beloved Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

That day is etched into the heart of Ōtautahi-Christchurch. Buildings fell, streets broke, and our skyline was forever altered. Yet in the midst of the rubble, something stronger stood firm — our faith, our community, and our hope.

Our Cathedral, once a place of beauty, prayer and gathering, was grievously damaged. For many, its loss felt deeply personal. It had marked baptisms, weddings, funerals, feast days and quiet moments before the Blessed Sacrament. It was not just stone and plaster — it was home.

But we are a Resurrection people.

With gratitude for the strength God has given us, we now look forward with hope to the building of our new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on the same sacred site. From broken ground, new life will rise. From sorrow, renewal. From loss, promise.

Today we pray for the 185 souls, for all who still carry the weight of that day, and for the continued healing of our city.

Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui
Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.

And in the words of a Māori blessing:

“Mā te Atua koe e manaaki, e tiaki i ngā wā katoa.”
May God bless and protect you at all times.

We remember.
We rebuild.
We believe.

📸 Kathie Gordon

08/06/2025

Over the past six months, a robust architect selection process has been undertaken. Bishop Michael is delighted to announce that Warren & Mahoney have been chosen to design the new Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament and the surrounding precinct.
Warren and Mahoney is one of New Zealand's leading architectural firms, working on iconic buildings including the Christchurch Town Hall, Te Pae Convention Centre and the Justice Precinct.
We are confident Warren & Mahoney are the right partners to walk with our Catholic community in the design of a worthy house of worship to glorify God and be a beacon of hope for our city.
Please continue to pray for God’s grace and the generosity on all this sacred journey.