Saturday, 20 June 2020 09:43

New Archbishop of Rabaul, Rochus Tatamai MSC

New Archbishop of Rabaul, Rochus Tatamai MSC

rochus rabaul

The Apostolic Nunciature in Papua New Guinea informs that His Holiness, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation presented to him by His Grace Most Reverend Francesco PANFILO, SDB, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Rabaul for having reached the age limit.

The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop of Rabaul His Excellency Most Reverend Rochus TATAMAI, MSC, until now Bishop of the Diocese of Kavieng.

Congratulations to Most Reverend Rochus Tatamai msc.

There is a long MSC tradition of bishops in Rabaul

Apostolic Vicars of Rabaul
  • Louis Couppé, M.S.C. (see below 1922.11.14 – retired 1923), on emeritate promoted as Titular Archbishop of Hierapolis (1925.12.18 – 1926.07.20)
  • Gerard Vesters (Gerardo Vesters), M.S.C. (1923.02.16 – 1938), Titular Bishop of Diocletianopolis in Palæstina (1923.02.16 – death 1954.08.30); previously Prefect Apostolic of Celebes (Indonesia) (1919.12 – 1923.02.16)
  • Leo Isidore Scharmach, M.S.C. (1939.06.13 – 1963), Titular Bishop of Mostene (1939.06.13 – 1964.11.26)
  • Johannes Höhne, M.S.C. (1963.03.01 – 1966.11.15 see below), Titular Bishop of Urima (1963.03.01 – 1966.11.15)
Metropolitan Archbishops of Rabaul
  • Johannes Höhne, M.S.C. (1966.11.15 – death 1978.05.27)
  • Albert-Leo Bundervoet, M.S.C. (1980.03.06 – 1989.03.29)
  • Karl Hesse, M.S.C. (1990.07.07 – 2011.08.11), also President of Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Soloman Islands (1994 – 1996), Apostolic Administrator sede plena of Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) (1995 – 1996.09.12), again Apostolic Administrator of Bougainville (1996.09.12 – 1999.04.19), President of Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Soloman Islands (2002 – 2005); previously Titular Bishop of Naratcata (1978.04.27 – 1980.10.24) & Auxiliary Bishop of Rabaul (1978.04.27 – 1980.10.24), Bishop of Kavieng (Papua New Guinea) (1980.10.24 – 1990.07.07)
  • Francesco Panfilo, Salesians (S.D.B.) (2011.08.11 – 2020.06.19), previously Bishop of Alotau–Sideia (Papua New Guinea) (2001.06.25 – 2010.03.18), President of Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Soloman Islands (2008.04 – 2011.05), Coadjutor Archbishop of Rabaul (2010.03.18 – 2011.08.11)

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