Paul Martin (bishop)

Paul Martin SM (born 5 May 1967) is a New Zealand prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who is the 10th Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand, since 2017. In 2021, he was named coadjutor archbishop of Wellington.

The Most Reverend

Paul Martin

S.M.
Martin in 2019
DioceseRoman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
PredecessorBarry Jones
Orders
Ordination4 September 1993
Consecration3 March 2018
by John Dew
Personal details
Birth namePaul Martin
Born (1967-05-05) 5 May 1967
Hastings, New Zealand
NationalityNew Zealander
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
OccupationRoman Catholic bishop
ProfessionCleric
Alma materMarist Seminary, New Zealand
Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Rome
Coat of arms

Early life and education

Martin was born in Hastings, New Zealand. He is the son of Ronald and Carmel Martin, one of five children. He was educated at St Joseph's Primary School, Hastings, and undertook his secondary studies at St John's College.[1]

Episcopacy

Bishop of Christchurch

On 5 December 2017, Martin was appointed by Pope Francis to replace Barry Jones, the 9th bishop of Christchurch, who died on 13 February 2016. On 3 March 2018 he was consecrated as the 10th bishop of Christchurch, in a large gathering at Boy's High School Auditorium, Christchurch, by Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, bishop emeritus of Christchurch Basil Meeking and Charles Drennan of Palmerston North.[2][3]

During his tenure as Bishop of Christchurch, the diocese saw restructuring of parishes. Many parishes were combined to create five 'super' parishes in Christchurch, as well as combining all churches in the Selwyn and Waimakariri Districts in their own parish.[4]

One of the decisions he faced as Bishop of Christchurch was the future of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, after it was severely damaged in the 2010, February 2011 and June 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. His predecessor, Barry Jones had suggested that the nave of the cathedral could be saved.[5] In August 2019, Martin made the decision to demolish the cathedral.[6] By September 2020, the demolition work began.[7]

In December 2019, Martin made public plans for a new cathedral site, Catholic primary school, hotels, offices and a carpark, all in community and commercial collaboration with Ōtākaro Limited, and city developers, Carter Group.[8]

Archbishop Coadjutor of the Archdiocese of Wellington

On 1 January 2021, he was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Archdiocese of Wellington by Pope Francis.[9]

References
  1. "We have a new bishop!". Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  2. Kate Broughton, "New Bishop gets full Catholic pomp with sprinkling of Kiwi flavour", The Press, 4 March 2018 (Retrieved 8 March 2018)
  3. "Bishop Paul Martin SM", Catholic Hierarchy (Retrieved 4 March 2018)
  4. "Five 'super parishes' for Christchurch Catholics". Stuff. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  5. "Call on Catholic cathedral nave salvation soon". RNZ. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  6. "Bishop chooses demolition for Christchurch's historic Catholic cathedral". Stuff. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  7. "Demolition work starts on quake-damaged Christchurch Catholic cathedral". Stuff. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  8. "New $85m Catholic cathedral planned for centre of post-quake Christchurch". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  9. "Rinunce e nomine, 01.01.2021" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Barry Jones		 10th Bishop of Christchurch
2017–present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent


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