CHRISTCHURCH, DIOCESE of. – By a pontifical brief of 10 May 1887, it was erected with territory detached from the archdiocese of Wellington and comprises the two provinces of Canterbury and Westland (New Zealand), three quarters of which are mountainous and uninhabitable.
The population is of European origin, born locally. There are just over 150 Maori. Over an area of 35,200 sq. km. there lives a total population of 251,524 inhabitants, of whom 34,100 are Catholics and the remainder Protestants. The Jews number slightly more than 200. There are 31 parishes distributed among three districts. In the secondary (12), technical (1), and preparatory (1) schools, 6,260 pupils are educated. The diocesan priests number 51, religious 40; brothers 21; sisters 337.
The charitable institutions comprise 3 orphanages, 1 hospital, and 1 home for the elderly.