The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Most Rev. Paul Gerard Martin, S.M., currently Bishop of Christchurch, as Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington and Apostolic Administrator of Christchurch. This appointment carries the right of succession to the Archdiocese.

Born in Hastings in 1967 as one of five children, Bishop Paul was educated at St Josephs School and St John’s College in Hastings.

He gained a BA at Victoria University and a B.Theol at Sydney College of Divinity. He studied at the Angelicum University in Rome for a Baccalaureate of Theology and gained a Graduate Diploma of Teaching at Auckland College of Education.

He was professed as a member of the Society of Mary in January 1988 and ordained to priesthood in September 1993.

Bishop Paul’s priestly ministry was served in a number of parishes, and in education, first at Pompallier College Whangarei, Hato Paora College in Feilding, St Bede’s College in Christchurch and St Patricks College in Kilbirnie where he became Rector in 2008. In 2014 he became the Assistant Provincial and Provincial Bursar for the Society of Mary, followed by an appointment as the Society’s Bursar General in Rome.

In December 2017 he was appointed Bishop of Christchurch and installed in 2018 as the 10th Bishop of Christchurch. On 1 January 2021 his appointment as Coadjutor Archbishop of Wellington and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Christchurch was announced from Rome. Archbishop Martin will maintain his southern connection by acting as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Christchurch until the Pope appoints a new bishop.

Enquiries to diocesan media spokesperson Lyndsay Freer, ph. 021 272 4895.