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Bejon Haswell / Stuff
Paul Martin has been bishop of Christchurch for three years and presided over a radical reorganization of the diocese.
Pope Francis has appointed Christchurch Catholic Bishop Paul Martin to a high-level post in Wellington overnight, in Rome, effective immediately.
Martin, who has been Bishop of Christchurch for three years, will assume the position of Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington alongside Cardinal John Dew, Metropolitan Archbishop of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
A curate usually becomes bishop or archbishop of a diocese when a titular bishop retires.
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Martin said the appointment was a surprise and that he would regret leaving Christchurch “and the work we’ve been doing.”
“However, it is a privilege to take on this role in the Wellington Church and I look forward to being with the people of the archdiocese again.”
During his tenure, Martin made important decisions that affected the future of the diocese, including demolishing, rather than reclaiming, the badly damaged Christchurch Catholic Cathedral, and confirming the site of a new cathedral and compound across from Victoria. Square in the city center.
AP
Pope Francis depicted in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
He presided over a radical reorganization of the diocese that would merge 12 parishes to form five new “superparishes”, by 2023.
Cardinal Dew, who is also president of the New Zealand Conference of Catholic Bishops, said he was delighted with the appointment.
“He is well known to the clergy and many people in the diocese, and he will be welcomed by all. I am completely confident that he will guide the diocese into the future with a new vision and energy. “
Martin was appointed the 10th Catholic Bishop of Christchurch in December 2017, with his consecration in March 2018.
He replaced Bishop Barry Jones, who died in February 2016.
Martin will continue his connection to Christchurch as Acting Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Christchurch until the Pope appoints a new bishop.
