The Diocese of Palmerston North is Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Wellington. It was formed on 6 March 1980 when the archdiocese was divided. The diocese has an area of area 36,200 km2 (14,000 sq mi) and had, in 2023, 68,160 Catholics, 44 priests (26 diocesan, 18 religious priests), 2 permanent deacons, 76 religious (male and female) out of a total population of 526,735.[1] The cathedral of the diocese is the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.
Ordinaries of Palmerston North
| Tenure | Incumbent | Life |
|---|---|---|
| 1980–2012 | Peter James Cullinane | 1936–present |
| 2012–2019 | Charles Edward Drennan | 1960–present |
| 2019–2023 | John Dew[2] | 1948–present |
| 2023–present | John Adams | 1963–present |
Present bishops
- John Adams third Bishop of Palmerston North (2023 – incumbent)
- John Cardinal Dew, Apostolic Administrator (2019–2023).
- Charles Edward Drennan (born 1960), second Bishop of Palmerston North (2012–2019); Coadjutor Bishop of Palmerston North (2011–2012).
- Owen John Dolan (born 1928) Coadjutor Bishop Emeritus of Palmerston North (2004–present); Coadjutor Bishop of Palmerston North (1995–2004).
- Peter James Cullinane (born 1936), Bishop Emeritus of Palmerston North (2012–present); first Bishop of Palmerston North (1980–2012).
Secondary schools
- Cullinane College, Wanganui
- Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth
- Hato Paora College, Feilding
- Sacred Heart College, Napier
- Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth
- St John's College, Hastings
- St Joseph's Māori Girls' College, Taradale, Napier
- St Peter's College, Palmerston North
References
- 1."Diocese of Palmerston North". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. 28 April 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- 2.Apostolic Administrator