The Catholic Diocese of Christchurch is ending it's link with the US Antarctic programme after 57 years of service.
Throughout the past half century the diocese has provided a priest to offer religious services and counselling to the 2,000 men and women stationed at the McMurdo station.
Recent years have seen a steady decline, both in attendance at the Chapel of the Snows at McMurdo Station and in the numbers of residents availing themselves of services of the Chaplains, who are based there from October until February each summer season.
Chaplains serving at the station say they've been aware for some time of the declining religiosity of the Antarctic population, and have had made considerable efforts to provide relevant and timely religious opportunities to the population.
In a statement, the diocese said it has been proud to be able to support this mission to the "ends of the earth", and is grateful for the services of many Priests who have had the privilege to serve the men and women of Antarctica.
The station will now rely on one interdenominational priest and make better use of religious resources on the internet.
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