Christchurch's Catholic bishop prefers existing site for rebuild of Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

8:06 pm on 10 December 2023
Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch

The ruined cathedral before it was demolished in 2020. Photo: Supplied / Peter Fleming

Catholic leaders in Christchurch are signalling their preferred location for a new cathedral precinct to replace a former building that succumbed to the earthquakes.

The 115-year-old Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Barbadoes Street was demolished in 2020, after it was badly damaged in the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch quakes.

Three possible locations are being investigated by the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.

Bishop Michael Gielen said the diocese preferred to build the new cathedral at the old Barbadoes Street site.

"The advice given to me is that Barbadoes Street - returning to our humble roots - is the best place for us to locate our mother church, our Cathedral.

"Catholic Māori spoke of it as being an anchor."

The diocese will seek feedback on the proposed locations over the coming months.

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