The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch will take over as proprietor of St Thomas of Canterbury College, securing its future within the Catholic school system.

Catholic Bishop of Christchurch Michael Gielen and St Thomas of Canterbury College principal Steve Hart announced the outcome in a joint statement on Friday.

The announcement ends a period of uncertainty after the Christian Brothers asked the Court earlier this year for permission to sell the college’s land and buildings and withdraw as custodian.

Gielen and Hart said the legal case had now been amicably resolved.

“It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we announce the future of St Thomas of Canterbury College has been secured, with the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch to take over as proprietor,” they said.

The bishop will formally assume the role once the necessary approvals have been obtained.

The college and diocese will work with the Ministry of Education to transfer the proprietor responsibilities.

Gielen already serves as proprietor of other state integrated Catholic schools and has committed to maintaining Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition at St Thomas.

The college will continue operating as usual, with no changes to the daily education of its students.

“We have both been very vocal in recent weeks about our commitment to the future of St Thomas’ as a Catholic college, forming young men of faith, character and intellect,” the statement said.

For more than six decades, the Christian Brothers have served as custodians of the college site, which was transferred to them by the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch at the time.

Gielen and Hart said the process had strengthened the relationship between the college and the diocese, with the new governance arrangements solidifying that connection.

They thanked students and families for their support, resilience and patience while the college’s future was determined.

“We have delivered the outcome we all wanted, with no change to the day to day operations of the College.”

The announcement came on the eve of the college’s celebration of 65 years of Catholic education at the site.