Christchurch cathedral project raises $1m in three weeks

By CathNews New Zealand

August 25th, 2026

An artist’s impression of the future Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament (Catholic Diocese of Christchurch/Facebook)

A fundraising bid to build Christchurch’s new Catholic cathedral has attracted more than $1 million in three weeks, following a call to worshippers. Source: The Press.

Last month, the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch revealed designs for its new $80 million Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Barbadoes St, asking its faithful to donate the remaining $16 million needed.

Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen is pledging $16,000 over five years. Priests within the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch have pledged $50 a week for five years, combining for a total of $400,000.

“We’ve got to lead the way because people look to us to show that we’re committed,” Bishop Gielen said.

The priests’ pledge was matched by an overseas donor, who said he would donate if Bishop Gielen found a Christchurch person to match him. Bishop Gielen said a young family stepped up, so the priests’ donation has effectively tripled.

Christchurch Diocese already has $45 million from insurance proceeds and asset sales, and another $19 million was raised before July through financial gifts, pledges and regular donations – including one of $2 million.

Bishop Gielen confirmed last week that $1 million had been donated or pledged in the three weeks since the campaign launched. The figure did not include the pledges from the bishop or the priests, which were already included in the $19million.

Once $72 million is achieved – 90 per cent of the overall budget – construction will be able to commence. Bishop Gielen hoped to achieve that within the next year.

“The generosity here, having served throughout New Zealand, is very impressive, and people have responded,” he said.

The single biggest recent donation was $250,000, but many have also pledged $10 or $20 a week for five years.

Bishop Gielen said he has made a commitment that no one would get naming rights on any element of the cathedral because everybody was considered equal.

Joseph Hampton from Warren and Mahoney, who is serving as lead architect on the project, said there was a real tension between the grandeur and the aspiration of building a cathedral and how much money was available to build that.

“We have to make really sensible and enduring decisions,” he said.

FULL STORY

Christchurch worshippers raise $1m in three weeks for new Catholic cathedral (By Tina Law/The Press – subscription required)