Paul Martin (bishop)
Paul Martin S.M. | |
|---|---|
 Martin in 2019 | |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch |
| Predecessor | Barry Jones |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 4 September 1993 |
| Consecration | 3 March 2018 by John Dew |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Paul Martin |
| Born | 5 May 1967 Hastings, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Occupation | Roman Catholic bishop |
| Profession | Cleric |
| Alma mater | Marist Seminary, New Zealand Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Rome |
| Coat of arms |  |
Paul Martin SM (born 5 May 1967) is a New Zealand prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, who has been serving as the coadjutor archbishop of Wellington since 2021. From March 2018 until January 2021, he was the 10th Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3][4]
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.[5]
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.[6] In August 2019, Martin made the decision to demolish the cathedral.[7] By September 2020, the demolition work began.[8]
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.[9]
Archbishop Coadjutor of the Archdiocese of Wellington[]
On 1 January 2021, he was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Archdiocese of Wellington by Pope Francis.[10]
References[]
- ^ "Archbishop Paul Martin S.M." Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "We have a new bishop!". Roman Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ Kate Broughton, "New Bishop gets full Catholic pomp with sprinkling of Kiwi flavour", The Press, 4 March 2018 (Retrieved 8 March 2018)
- ^ "Bishop Paul Martin SM", Catholic Hierarchy (Retrieved 4 March 2018)
- ^ "Five 'super parishes' for Christchurch Catholics". Stuff. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Call on Catholic cathedral nave salvation soon". RNZ. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Bishop chooses demolition for Christchurch's historic Catholic cathedral". Stuff. 4 August 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Demolition work starts on quake-damaged Christchurch Catholic cathedral". Stuff. 1 September 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "New $85m Catholic cathedral planned for centre of post-quake Christchurch". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Rinunce e nomine, 01.01.2021" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
External links[]
- "Welcome to the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch". Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.
- "Bishop Paul Martin SM". Catholic Hierarchy.[self-published]
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- 1967 births
- People from Hastings, New Zealand
- Living people
- Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas alumni
- 21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in New Zealand
- Roman Catholic bishops of Christchurch
- People educated at St John's College, Hastings
- Oceanian Roman Catholic bishop stubs
- New Zealand religious biography stubs