Pope Francis has appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland Michael Gielen as the 11th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch.

Bishop Michael succeeds Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Paul Martin SM, who was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Christchurch in March 2018.

In January 2021, Archbishop Martin was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington and this appointment will allow him to take up that role in the coming weeks.

Bishop Michael hails from Tokoroa and was a priest of the Diocese of Hamilton, before being appointed to Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland in March 2020.

“I am humbled and honoured to have been appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of the Diocese of Christchurch. I have always had a deep respect for the people of Christchurch borne from their displays of resilience and generosity in the face of great adversity,” Bishop Michael says.

“I am grateful for the leadership and vision of the outgoing Bishop who leaves behind a courageous legacy.

“I am also very indebted to the people of Auckland and Hamilton, for all they have given me over the last 25 years of ministry.”

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, is looking forward to enjoying the sporting fabric of Christchurch and becoming a Canterbury fan over the next few years.

Bishop Michael is also excited to be joining the Christchurch Diocese at this time of significant development.

“I wish to acknowledge the work Archbishop Paul has done in his time here in Christchurch.”

“Archbishop Paul has responded courageously to the challenges faced by the diocese and laid the foundations for a strong future. The work he has done in paving the way for the consolidation and strengthening of our parishes and schools stands the Diocese in fantastic stead going forward.

“It is an exciting time to lead the Diocese through this next growth phase of the Catholic Church in Christchurch.”

Bishop Michael takes up the role with immediate effect and will be officially installed as Bishop in July.

The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch was formed in 1887 and encompasses 65,500 Catholics, 18 parishes and 35 primary and secondary schools across central, north and mid Canterbury, Westland and the Chatham Islands.