CHRISTCHURCH, DIOCESE OF — By a papal brief of 10 May 1887, the diocese was erected with territory taken 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 and locally born. There are just over 150 Māori. Over an area of 35,200 km², the total population is 251,524, of whom 34,100 are Catholics and the rest Protestants. The Jews number just over 200. There are 31 parishes distributed across three districts. In the secondary schools (12), technical schools (1), and preparatory schools (1), 6,260 pupils are educated. The diocesan clergy number 51, religious 40, brothers 21, and sisters 337.
Charitable institutions include 3 orphanages, 1 hospital, and 1 old people’s home.