Gov, Lemanu sends special message to new Catholic Bishop

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu P. S Mauga, has issued a public congratulatory message and blessings to Reverend Father Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale, whose Mass of Ordination as the first local Catholic Bishop is today.

The Mass is schedule to start at 9a.m today at Holy Family Cathedral in Fatu-o-Aiga followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at 10a.m tomorrow.

On August 4 — the Feast of St John Vianney — Pope Francis announced on Vatican Radio in Rome the appointment of 49-year-old Father Etuale to be Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese in American Samoa.

“Please accept my most sincere congratulations on your appointment as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago,” the governor said in the public message to Father Etuale.

“We are particularly overjoyed of the international acclaim you have received for your unwavering service to our community.

“Our religious leaders safeguard more than the fundamentals of their own faith. They exemplify the spirit of human solidarity and kindness, which is the foundation of peace and understanding between men and nations,” the governor said.

He also said that the new Bishop’s “illustrious decades of religious service have prepared you well for this dynamic role — to be a beacon of hope in challenging and changing times.

“Our prayers and well wishes accompany you as you assume this most sacred position.”

Lemanu is among the local delegation invited to the ceremony, while Samoa’s Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, is among the VIP officials from Samoa, who will attend ceremony.

Fiame and other invited VIPs from Apia started arriving Wednesday and yesterday for the ceremony.

Also attending are Samoa’s Head of State Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Masiofo Faamausili, as well as former Head of State Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese and Masiofo Filifilia.

Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga of the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia is leading a contingent from Apia. And Archbishop of Fiji, Peter Loi Chong is also attending.