Bishops of the Diocese
Bishop John Joseph Grimes SM
Born February 11 1842 at Bromley by Bow in London’s East End, the second son of Elizabeth and Richard Grimes. He was educated by the Marist Brothers at Spitalfields and at a Marist school at Bar-le-Duc, in France. He trained for the priesthood at St Mary’s College, Dundalk, Ireland and was professed as a member of the Society of Mary in 1867 and ordained a priest by Archbishop Whelan of Bombay in the church of the Catholic University of Ireland on August 22, 1869.
He taught firstly at St Mary’s, Dundalk before being appointed to St Mary’s Jefferson College, Louisiana, USA in 1874. He became college president in 1879 but while caring for the sick during a yellow fever epidemic he contracted the disease and returned to Ireland. In 1881 he was appointed to the staff of the Marist scholasticate and novitiate at Paignton, Devon, England, and also became the first parish priest of Paignton, baptising the first Catholic child in that area since the reformation.
He was appointed to the new see of Christchurch on May 13, 1887 and was ordained bishop at St Anne’s Church, Spitalfields on July 26, 1887 by Cardinal Vaughan.
He died in Sydney where he had gone for medical treatment on March 15, 1915 and was buried 10 days later in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Christchurch.
Bishop Matthew Brodie
Born Coromandel March 1, 1864 and ordained a priest December 20, 1896 by Bishop Lenihan OSB. He was appointed to Christchurch in November 27, 1915 and ordained bishop in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament February 27, 1916 by Cardinal Ceretti, Archbishop Redwood and Bishop Verdon.
He died October 11 1943 and was buried in the chapel of Mt Magdalea, now St John of God.
Bishop Patrick Lyons
Born Melbourne January 6, 1903, ordained priest January 6, 1927. He was appointed to Christchurch March 16, 1944 and ordained bishop in Melbourne Cathedral on July 2, 1944, being formally installed as bishop of Christchurch on August 6, 1944.
On April 5, 1950 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney and on October 11, 1956 he became Coadjutor Bishop of Sale, becoming Bishop of that diocese on June 16, 1957. He died on August 13, 1967.
Bishop Edward Joyce
Born Lyttelton June 26, 1904, later lived at Loburn, and ordained a priest in October 31, 1930.
Appointed to Christchurch April 18, 1950, and ordained bishop in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament July 16, 1950 by Archbishops McKeefry and Bishops Liston and Kavanagh.
Died January 28, 1964 and buried in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.
Bishop Brian Ashby
Born Belfast November 10, 1923, ordained priest January 1, 1954. He was appointed to Christchurch July 11, 1964 and ordained a bishop August 5, 1964 by Archbishop McKeefry.
Resigned July 4, 1985, died June 5, 1988 and is buried at Bromley Cemetery.
Bishop Ashby’s motto: “His Light Our Way”
Bishop Denis Hanrahan
Born Greymouth November 1, 1933 and ordained a priest July 21, 1957 by Bishop Joyce. He was appointed coadjutor bishop of Christchurch March 25, 1984 and ordained bishop June 6, 1984 by Bishop Ashby, Archbishop Magnoni and Cardinal Williams.
He succeeded to the see of Christchurch July 4, 1985 and died February 1, 1987. He is buried at Bromley Cemetery.
Bishop Basil Meeking
Born 19th November, 1929 in Ashburton. He was ordained a Priest on 19th July, 1953
He was ordained Bishop: 3rd June, 1987 and retired in February, 1996.
Parishes, Ministries and Assignments
(1954 until September, 2006) Beckenham/St Martins; Chaplain – Christchurch Hospital; Studies at the University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome (Doctor of Sacred Theology); Kaiapoi: Methven; Bryndwr; Official and later Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Rome; Bishop of Christchurch; latterly, work with Cardinal Francis George in Portland Oregon and in Chicago, his liaison with the Lumen Christi Institute in the University of Chicago and with the Community of St John Cantius, Chicago.
Bishop Basil’s Motto: “Speaking the truth in love”
Bishop John Cunneen
Born 5th May 1932 in Christchurch. Ordained as a priest 8th July 1956
Parishes Served: Dallington, Cathedral, Rangiora/Oxford, Addington, Timaru North, Bishopdale, Christ the King
Date of Episcopal Ordination: 30 November 1992
Appointed Bishop of Christchurch: 15th December 1995.
Retired as Bishop of Christchurch: 4th May 2007 and died 9th November 2010. He is buried in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop John’s motto: “Faithful in Service”
Bishop Barry Jones
Born 29th August 1941 in Rangiora, and ordained a priest on 4th July 1966 at Ss Mary and Francis de Sales Church, Rangiora.
Education: Educated at St Joseph’s Convent primary School, Rangiora; St Bede’s College, Christchurch. Studied for priesthood at Holy Name Seminary, Christchurch (Philosophy); Holy Cross College, Mosgiel (Theology)
Parishes and Ministries served: Timaru North, Cathedral, Christchurch Hospital, Kumara, Akaroa, Sockburn, Te Rangimarie, Burnham, Vice Rector Good Shepherd House, Riccarton, Greymouth
Ordained Coadjutor Bishop: 4th October 2006
Appointed Catholic Bishop of Christchurch: 4th May 2007
Bishop Barry’s motto: “The Lord delights in His people” (Psalm 149:4)
Bishop Paul Martin SM
Bishop Paul was born in Hastings, and was educated at St Joseph’s Primary School. He undertook his secondary studies at St John’s College and entered formation for the Society of Mary in 1985. Bishop Paul studied in theology and arts at Victoria University in Wellington. He has taught English and Religious Education in New Zealand and has held the roles of Rector at St Patrick’s College in Wellington and Deputy Director (Pastoral Care) at St Bede’s College, Christchurch. At the time of his appointment Bishop Paul was General Bursar for the Society of Mary in Rome.
On 5 December 2017, Martin was appointed, by Pope Francis, Bishop of the Christchurch Diocese and was ordained on Saturday 3 March 2018 by Cardinal John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch Basil Meeking and Bishop Charles Drennan of Palmerston North.
Bishop Paul was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington in January 2021, and was the Apostolic Administrator for the Christchurch Diocese until the appointment of his replacement in May 2022.
Bishop MICHAEL GIELEN
Bishop Michael Gielen was appointed the 11th Bishop of Christchurch on 21 May 2022, and installed on 9 July 2022. Bishop Gielen is the son of Henk and Maureen Gielen of Mount Maunganui and is the eldest of six children.
An ardent Waikato supporter and keen sportsman, Bishop Michael, 50, was previously Auxillary Bishop of Auckland.
