Post-Quake Decisions

The decisions that led to the demolition of the Basilica

Jennie Meuldijk

Basilica, post-quake, surrounded by cranes

Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, 25 February 2012. Source: QuakeStudies.

The Catholic community faced a tough decision in the months following the February earthquakes. In August, insurance for the Basilica was cancelled alongside Christchurch’s Arts Centre. Decisions hung in the air for several years, delayed further by the death of Bishop Barry Jones in 2016. Following the ordination of Bishop Paul Martin in March 2018 as the new Catholic Bishop in Christchurch, plans were revealed in November for the potential demolition of the Basilica and for a new Cathedral to be built at a different site.

Bishop Paul Martin’s decision to demolish the Basilica came as a shock to many, following the previous Bishop’s original decision of restoration. By this stage, however, the option to restore the original building was estimated to cost $105 million, and Bishop Paul Martin believed that cost would increase. On 4 August 2019 the decision to demolish the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was confirmed. This was met with pushback: many parishioners were distraught at the idea of demolishing this treasure of Christchurch and of the Catholic Community.

Demolition of the Catholic Cathedral was undertaken in 2020, and plans for a new Cathedral were underway, this time at a new location more central to the city. Bishop Martin had purchased land near Victoria Square, with the expectation that the new Cathedral would be completed by 2025.

Basilica, Front view, damaged post-quake, fenced up with danger sign

Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, 25 February 2012. Source: QuakeStudies.

Throughout this process, an overall lack of noise and greater public interest around this Category I heritage building prompted disappointment and criticism, particularly in comparison to Christchurch's other historical cathedral: while interest was taken to preserve the Anglican Cathedral in Cathedral Square, the Catholic Cathedral was instead approved to be demolished. Longstanding tension between the Anglican and Catholic communities can be traced back to the originals plans for the Basilica and pushback from the Anglican community, who did not want a Catholic Cathedral built so close to Christchurch central.

In 2020, a group of parishioners continued to challenge the demolition, questioning the manner in which the Bishop finalised this decision; a letter of appeal reached as far as the Vatican. In 2022, the fate of the Catholic Cathedral changed hands once more when Bishop Michael Gielen was appointed as the new Bishop of Christchurch, following Bishop Paul Martin's appointment as the Archbishop of Wellington. By 2024, it was announced that the new Cathedral would be built on the same grounds as the previous.

Seven possible names were shortlisted for the new Christchurch Catholic cathedral; this process involved community input via an online survey. In late 2024, it was announced that the new Catholic Cathedral would share the previous Cathedral's name as well as land: the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - Te Hāhi Matua o te Hākarameta Tapu Rawa.

Basilica, sign in foreground, Quake repairs keep out

Credit: Jocelyn Kinghorn, 25 February 2012. Source: QuakeStudies.

Demolishing the Basilica:

Community Responses:

The new Catholic Cathedral:

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