The quake-damaged facade of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, before it was demolished. Photo: Peter Fleming
Seven possible names have been shortlisted for the new Catholic cathedral in Christchurch.
Last month, Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Bishop Michael Gielen invited Catholics to suggest potential cathedral names, with around 700 responses.
The shortlist decided upon by the church includes two saints who spent time in Canterbury and the name of the former earthquake-damaged cathedral, which has been demolished.
The candidates are:
- St John Paul II, who visited Christchurch in 1986 while he was Pope
- St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, who visited the Christchurch Diocese several times
- The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, the name of the building severely damaged in the Christchurch earthquakes
- St John the Baptist, the patron saint of Christchurch Diocese
- Blessed Carlo Acutis, an Italian teen who created a website to documented Eucharistic miracles, and who will soon become a saint
- Corpus Christi, a name which means 'Body of Christ', and witnesses to Catholics' devotion to the Eucharist
- St Francis of Assisi, known for his ministry to the poor and underprivileged, care for nature and animals, and for shunning wealth to embrace poverty.
People could submit which three names they would support for the new cathedral.
Bishop Gielen and his advisers would then shortlist three candidates, before the bishop makes his final decision in July.