Our Vision
The Diocese through this decade is working on Regeneration. We dream of each of our ministry units being populated with new generations of believers. We pray for each of our churches to have a spread of generations in its congregations.
Our focus is on making disciples, strengthening families and building communities.
Come and join us!
Our Story
In 1850 Christchurch and the Canterbury plains and foothills were settled with migrants from Great Britain, many of whom were members of the Church of England. Anglican churches were founded. Anglican missioners shared the Good News with local Māori.
In 1856 the Diocese of Christchurch was established, Christchurch was declared a city by Queen Victoria, and Bishop Henry Harper arrived as our first bishop.
Nearly 170 years later we are onto our ninth bishop. The Diocese incorporates all of Canterbury, Westland and the Chatham Islands, divided into 54 parishes and one Cathedral ministry unit in the centre of Christchurch.
Safeguarding and Complaint Process
Safeguarding is about prevention of harm and early intervention to minimise the opportunity for the child, young person or vulnerable adult to be harmed.
If you wish to make a complaint about an office bearer in the Anglican Church (for example, a priest, deacon, bishop, licenced lay minister, trustee, etc) we encourage you to put it in writing and send it directly to the independent Registrar, either by email or post.
What is faith?
Is Christianity true?
What happens when I die?
Finding faith in a busy world.
Coming soon: We talk to 5 people with fresh stories of finding faith & community.
News and Announcements
-
Read more: The Archbishops’ Statement on the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire
The Archbishops’ Statement on the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire
-
Read more: The Archbishops’ 2024 Christmas Message
The Archbishops’ 2024 Christmas Message
-
Read more: Upcoming Events (Christmas & Holiday Services)
Upcoming Events (Christmas & Holiday Services)
-
Read more: 2024 Christmas Message from Bishop Peter Carrell
2024 Christmas Message from Bishop Peter Carrell
Anglican e-Life
-
Read more: Anglican e-Life | 12 February 2025
Anglican e-Life | 12 February 2025
Dear Friends,
Last Thursday, Waitangi Day, the Ngaī Tahu commemoration of the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi was held at Ōnuku marae with the Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon present. I commend to you the Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Commemoration Speech given by Justin Tipa on that occasion.
I commend to all in the Diocese the Open Heaven Combined Churches Prayer Event, 6.30pm for a 7pm start, to 9.00pm on Wednesday 26 February at the Wolfbrook Area, 55 Jack Hinton Drive, Christchurch. I will be there along with many other church leaders, leading prayers for our nation. Join me!
The following Wednesday is Ash Wednesday 5 March. I commend on this day our participation in ecumenical services, signifying our commitment to Christian unity as we follow our suffering Saviour, Jesus Christ. For those for whom a local, ecumenical service is not readily accessible, I commend participation in the Anglican-Catholic Ecumenical Service in the Transitional Cathedral at 5.30pm. All welcome (from all denominations). Bishop Michael Gielen will be our preacher.
Studying the Bible at any time of the year is a very good thing but I commend study groups being formed in our ministry units for the six weeks of Lent (beginning 5 March 2025). Theology House’s Lenten study for 2025 is available to order now. In the Spirit of Lent follows the lectionary’s Gospel readings for the six weeks of Lent. (Ash Wednesday is 5 March 2025.) Questions for discussion and prayers are provided in the expectation that groups who use the study will encounter the Word of God afresh. Discussion questions tend towards appropriate Lenten self-reflection, especially corporate self-reflection for our churches. Read more.
Bishop Ngarahu Katene, Bishop within Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa for Te Hui Amorangi o Te Manawa o Te Wheke [King Country, Waikato, northern Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua], has announced his retirement, effective from Easter Sunday 20 April 2025. +Ngaragu has been bishop there since 2006. I give thanks to God for his ministry and pray that he will have a fruitful retirement.
This weekend past Teresa and I have been in Melbourne for events connected to the conclusion of Archbishop Philip Freier’s ministry as Bishop of Melbourne and Metropolitan for the Province of Victoria for the past eighteen years – a period which included six years as Primate of Australia. Joy Freier has been fully involved in this ministry of leadership and together they have been warm and generous friends to many Anglicans around Australia and the whole Anglican Communion, including episcopal leaders in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. It was a pleasure and a privilege to join with most of the Australian bishops, with Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion and with Archbishop Emeritus Philip Richardson from our church in the Farewell Evensong on Sunday afternoon in St Paul’s Cathedral.
Yesterday principals, chaplains and religious education leaders from our Anglican schools were able to meet with Simon Heath and Dr Averil Worner from the Anglican Schools Office. This “regional hub” meeting is part of a series being conducted by Simon and Averil as they move around our church in follow up to a significant report published last year which opens up the question of how we best resource our diverse set of schools from Dunedin through to Apia. I appreciate the commitment of our principals, chaplains and RE teachers to sharing our faith in Christ and developing the “Anglican character” of our schools. For one of our schools this year is particularly important: it is the 175th anniversary of the founding of Christ’s College. Special events take place this coming weekend, including a celebration service in the Chapel on Sunday morning. I am delighted to be a participant in this service, led by Chaplain Cameron Pickering and featuring Bishop David Coles, a former warden of the school and the Reverend Bosco Peters, a former chaplain of the school.
A revamped Association of Anglican Women website is now “live”. I look forward on Saturday morning 22 February to being part of the annual general meeting and commissioning service for our Diocesan AAW.
Many times in e-Life I have asked for prayer for the situation in the Middle East. Despite a ceasefire being agreed to, we need to keep praying, not least for the ceasefire to hold and to be honoured by all sides. Further, whatever we make of President Trump’s recent pronouncements about the future of Gaza, his comments highlight the extraordinary reconstruction project which lies ahead for Gaza and its inhabitants.
This coming Sunday, 16 February is Ordinary 6. The Gospel reading is Luke 6:17-26. We shift from the lakeside (last Sunday) to “the plain”, the setting for Luke’s representation of Jesus’ foundational teaching (in contradistinction to Matthew’s representation through “the Sermon on the Mount”, Matthew 5-7). At the beginning of this sermon Jesus presents four blessings and four woes (6:20-26). These are challenging, especially for those of us who are materially and emotionally blessed. Inherent in Jesus pronouncing blessing on the poor and the hungry is a challenge to us as readers: how might we be part of blessing those in need? At such a point of reflection we might, of course, jump straight ahead in our knowledge of Luke’s Gospel to the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) or to the Story of the Rich Ruler (Luke 18:18-30).
Arohanui,
+Peter.
Read the full publication
-
Read more: Anglican e-Life | 5 February 2025
Anglican e-Life | 5 February 2025
Dear Friends,
As 2025 gets underway in all post-holiday respects, may our commitment to prayer for the Regeneration of the Diocese continue.
Our key Regeneration prayer is this: As the kotuku gently rests upon the tree, come and rest upon us Holy Spirit as we pray for the regeneration of our Diocese… Everliving God, through your Spirit you constantly renew the whole creation; bring regeneration to your Diocese of Christchurch, grant us courage to grow disciples of Jesus, give us vision to reach young people and their families, and strengthen us to create vibrant communities of faith. All this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. The continuing encouragement from 2024 into 2025 is that this prayer is regularly prayed in our corporate services, prayer meetings and in our personal, daily prayers.
Today is Edwin Boyce‘s last day in office as our Diocesan Manager. Edwin has always worked above and beyond the letter of his job description and the nominal hours of the role. He has served this Diocese with grace, generosity, and good humour. Thank you, Edwin! This morning we had a lovely farewell in the Anglican Centre for Edwin and Essie. Their life in our Diocesan family continues as they serve within the Parish of Upper Riccarton-Yaldhurst. I look forward to continuing engagement with Edwin in his role as Vicar’s Warden of this parish.
Tomorrow is Waitangi Day. We have 15 years to go before the bicentenary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. This year we are in the midst of considerable national debate over the meaning of the Treaty and the application of the Treaty for the country we have become and are becoming (as new generations are born and as new migrants are welcomed to our shores). My prayer for this year’s Waitangi Day – with our Prime Minister close at hand at Ōnuku, Akaroa – is that we find ways in our kōrero to hold our unity as people together with our diversity as partners to our Treaty. Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu (Te Tai Tokerau) has written an excellent reflection in this morning’s Press (online/print) on the Treaty as “an accord centred around belonging“.
On Sunday morning we were in St Columba’s church, Hornby in the Parish of Hornby, Templeton and West Melton for a combined churches service for the whole of the parish. This was an important occasion in the life of this parish during its current period of transition after the conclusion of the Reverend Les Memory‘s ministry at the end of November 2024. On Sunday afternoon, we were at the Transitional Cathedral for the first Cathedral Grammar School service for 2025.
Theology House’s Lenten study for 2025 is available to order now. In the Spirit of Lent follows the lectionary’s Gospel readings for the six weeks of Lent. (Ash Wednesday is 5 March 2025). Questions for discussion and prayers are provided in the expectation that groups who use the study will encounter the Word of God afresh. Discussion questions tend towards appropriate Lenten self-reflection, especially corporate self-reflection for our churches. Read more.
This past week a fascinating debate has erupted around some remarks made by J. D. Vance, USA Vice-President, in favour of a hierarchy of love as his nation works out its priorities, underpinned, according to Vance by a notion called “ordo amoris“, which has its roots in the teaching of Aristotle, St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas. Catherine Pepinster has an excellent report on what this debate has been about with particular reference to a pushback from UK politician, Rory Stewart. The debate has, however, been engaged online by a number of well-known theologians. Here, I don’t want to engage with the debate but to observe how wonderful it is, as tides of interest in Jesus Christ ebb and flow through this era, that we can still have a global exercise in public theology, with the heat of passionate engagement and the interest of politicians as well as theologians.
Our new Diocesan Manager, Rachelle Mathews began working with us nearly two weeks ago. I am most grateful to Edwin Boyce for inducting her into her new role through this time. I look forward to working with Rachelle – welcome, Rachelle, to your new role and to our Diocese.
This coming Sunday, 9 February is Ordinary 5. The Gospel reading is Luke 5:1-11. Jesus’ encounter with Simon Peter is a call narrative – Peter, representing all disciples, then and now, is called by Jesus to join Jesus in his mission (captured in other gospels by the phrase, “Follow me”). Within this encounter, as he and his fellow fishermen understand the miracle Jesus has performed before their eyes, Peter recognises his sinfulness (with shades of Isaiah’s experience as he was called to be God’s prophet in Isaiah 6:1-8). Humanly speaking, he is not a fit person to be in the company of the holy Jesus. But Jesus takes Peter on. By implication his sins are forgiven, and he is made right with God. Jesus declares, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” We are made disciples by Jesus in order to work with him on making more disciples.
Arohanui,
+Peter.
Read the full publication
-
Read more: Anglican e-Life | 29 January 2025
Anglican e-Life | 29 January 2025
Dear Friends,
As 2025 begins the emphasis through this decade for Diocesan life continues to be Regeneration—praying and working for new generations of active, worshipping, serving members of our ministry units. In this work of God, we are focusing efforts on making disciples who make disciples, strengthening families (with “family” understood in all the variety of life we experience in our diverse families) and building community—the community of brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, the community of people in our neighbourhoods. As we move around the Diocese, we see with our eyes and also hear with our ear’s stories of generational change in our ministry units. I feel encouraged at the beginning of this year which is mid-point for this decade. We press forward in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit according to the will of God that the church is built.
On Sunday, Teresa and I experienced a wonderful, combined parishes (Anglican and Presbyterian) Mid Canterbury service in All Saints, Methven. It was good to share leadership of the service with Archdeacon Indrea Alexander and our new deacon based in Methven, the Reverend Sage Burke. Ms Abi Travathan, the Kairuruku Whanake (Formation and Development Coordinator) for the Alpine Presbytery was our excellent preacher.
Last Wednesday evening, we had a great turn out, from both the local congregations, friends from Wairau Valley parish, and other supporters for the Reverend Joe Keighley’s Induction as Vicar of Burnside-Harewood Parish. On that occasion Ms Raewyn Parkes, from the Nativity parish, Blenheim, was our excellent preacher.
This year we are partnering with Laidlaw College to have a counselling placement. This means we are able to offer some free counselling for 2025. Bookings can be made through Sammy Mould or our placement counsellor, Emma Dunne. This opportunity is available to people from any parish: teenagers, young adults, families, couples—Emma is able to counsel any age group. For further information, please contact Sammy, youth@anglicanlife.org.nz, 022 021 5401.
Theology House’s Lenten study for 2025 is available to order now. In the Spirit of Lent follows the lectionary’s Gospel readings for the six weeks of Lent. (Ash Wednesday is 5 March 2025.) Questions for discussion and prayers are provided in the expectation that groups who use the study will encounter the Word of God afresh. Discussion questions tend towards appropriate Lenten self-reflection, especially corporate self-reflection for our churches. See further: Theology House Resources.
A statement on the Gaza ceasefire by our archbishops can be read here. On that Taonga page there are links to a statement by the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem and the Middle East and links to two appeals for financial help for those suffering in the Middle East. In the Jerusalem statement, this paragraph is very important—if only those in power will heed it:
“Having repeatedly called for such a negotiated outcome, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem welcomes this ceasefire. Moreover, we appeal to fellow Christians and all those of goodwill to continue to advocate and pray not only for the adoption of the full agreement, also for the region’s leaders and people to invest as much of their political and financial capital towards peacebuilding, as they tragically have in waging warfare over these past many months and in the decades proceeding.”
Last week, at a post-inauguration service in Washington’s National Cathedral, Bishop Marian Budde preached a sermon which has echoed around the world (full text here). Her words have been received to fervent applause from some and to hostile vitriol from others, including from President Trump himself. I offer a reflection on the sermon and the controversy on my personal blog, here. +Marian has demonstrated the power of preaching to challenge, to stir and to expose the state of things. Unfortunately, in this case, we Christians are exposed by her sermon as being tragically divided even on the basic teaching of Christ that the merciful are blessed.
This coming Sunday is Epiphany 4 and The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. The Gospel reading is Luke 2:22-40. From the perspective of Epiphany, we celebrate the revelation of God presented to the world in the person of Jesus Christ (Luke 2:31-32). But the story told in this passage also draws us to identify with Simeon and with Anna, each a model of faithfulness to God and of hearts open to and eager for God’s plan for the world to be fulfilled so that the consolation of Israel (2:25) and the redemption of Jerusalem (2:38)—the same things—would come to pass.
Arohanui,
+Peter
Read the full publication
-
Read more: Anglican e-Life | 22 January 2025
Anglican e-Life | 22 January 2025
Dear Friends,
In this season of Epiphany, we remember and celebrate the revelation of God in the glory of Jesus Christ. There is always hope for our world because God has revealed his love for us in Jesus Christ.
I look forward to leading the Reverend Joe Keighley’s Induction as Vicar of Burnside-Harewood Parish tonight. All are welcome to this service at 6.30pm, Wednesday 22 January at St Timothy’s, Kendal Avenue, Burnside. Clergy are welcome to robe, especially those attending from the local Archdeaconry of Selwyn-Tawera: alb and red stole.
Theology House’s Lenten study for 2025 is available to order now. In the Spirit of Lent follows the lectionary’s Gospel readings for the six weeks of Lent. (Ash Wednesday is 5 March 2025.) For each week there is a written reflection by Theology House director Gareth Bezett and a visual reflection by the Reverend Sarah West from the Diocese of Auckland. Questions for discussion and prayers are provided in the expectation that groups who use the study will encounter the Word of God afresh. While there is no intentional theme lying behind the reflections, you will find that the discussion questions tend towards appropriately Lenten self-reflection, especially corporate self-reflection for our churches. See this link for further details.
The Reverend Justine Tremewan has been appointed Missioner Priest (0.4 FTE) for the Parish of Linwood-Aranui, from Monday, 20 January 2025. Please pray for Justine as she takes up this role and for the parish as it develops a new style of parish leadership shared between Justine and its parish manager, Martin Witty.
Other vacancies on my agenda for this first part of the year are for ministry leadership in the Parishes of Cheviot, Hanmer Springs, Hornby-Templeton-West Melton and the Mission District of Waimate. Work is underway for securing a Presbyterian appointment to the Co-operating Parish of Akaroa-Banks Peninsula. Your prayers, as always, are both needed and appreciate.
I congratulate Anglican recipients of New Year’s Honours. Taonga has an article on seven recipients, including Ross McQueen, MNZM, acknowledging Ross’ long service for the Christchurch City Mission and for Canterbury rural communities, Jim Goodwin, KSO, acknowledging Jim’s service in support of survivors of abuse, including his work in establishing the Christ’s College abuse survivors support group, and Jeremy Johnson, KSM, acknowledging his service to the Anglican church and to the LGBTQi community – this service has included Jeremy’s work for our Diocese as Vice Chancellor then Chancellor, as well as his work on the Christ’s College board for which he has recently become its new chair. Finally, I congratulate Sir Peter Skelton, a Fendalton parishioner, on his Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to environmental law.
Teresa and I have had a quiet, restful holiday with the undoubted highlight being the arrival of our second grandchild, Leonardo Peter Suckling on Sunday, 12 January, born here in Christchurch.
Meanwhile the news through these weeks has hardly been quiet and restful. The Treaty principles bill has attracted an extraordinary number of submissions. After many months of death and destruction, finally, in good news there is a ceasefire in Gaza. Intriguingly a decisive factor in the achievement of the ceasefire has been the involvement of President Trump. Nevertheless, welcome though a ceasefire is, there is much to be done if peace and justice are to be established in Gaza, West Bank and Israel. Terrific, tragic fires have burned through significant parts of Los Angeles – a reminder, though seemingly only to those willing to see the import of such calamities, that global warming/changing climate is a feature and not a bug of our weather through this century. Then, this week, President Trump has been inaugurated with much to be concerned about (especially if you are a citizen of Canada, Greenland, Panama and Ukraine, some things to be amused by renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America… I support the Irish politician who wants the North Atlantic renamed “Galway Bay”!) and much to be uncertain about (will tariffs really be imposed, and what effect will they have on the NZ economy?).
While on holiday I enjoyed reading Robert Harris’ novel Conclave, a story about the election of a new Roman Pope. Currently the film version of this book is showing in cinemas. The Reverend Bosco Peters offers a review of the film on the Taonga site. I agree with an important point Bosco makes: the story may be fiction, but the fact is, church politics often works along the lines of Conclave’s plot. Speaking of the politics of finding a new “top” church leader, find out more about the appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Note that this is the first time representatives of the Anglican Communion have been directly involved as voting members of the Crown Nominations Commission.
This coming Sunday is Epiphany 3. The Gospel reading is Luke 4:14-21. Here Luke sets out, in Jesus’ own telling, using the words of Isaiah 61, the programme for Jesus’ ministry. Good news will be preached, freedom will be secured, the blind will see and the kingdom of God will come. But this is also the programme for our ministry as the body of Christ on earth, as followers of Jesus today. At the beginning of a new year, might we recommit ourselves to doing what Jesus did and still today wishes to be done in the world?
Arohanui,
+Peter.
Read the full publication
Our Purpose
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
To respond to human need by loving service
To pursue peace and reconciliation
Protect the integrity of creation, sustain and renew the life of the earth