OCEANIA/COOK ISLANDS - Resignation of Bishop of Rarotonga

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on 11 April 2011 accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Rarotonga (Cook Islands), presented by Bishop Stuart France O’Connell, S.M., in conformity with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The Holy Father appointed Fr Paul Donoghue, S.M., Provincial Superior of the Marist Fathers in Oceania as Bishop of Rarotonga (Cook Islands).
Fr Paul Donoghue, S.M. was born on 18 January 1949 in Auckland, New Zealand. After primary and secondary schooling at the Marists' St Patrick's College, Silverstream, he entered the Novitiate of the Marist Fathers with the intention of becoming a religious brother, and then he understood he was called to the priesthood. He completed philosophy and theology studies at the Major Seminary of Mount Saint Mary in Greenmeadows, Hawkes Bay. On 7 January 1969 he made his first vows with the Marists and was ordained a priest on 29 June 1975. After ordination he held the following ministries: 1975-1977: Formator at Saint Bede College, Christchurch; 1977-1981: Professor at Saint Peter Chanel College, Samoa; 1981-1985: Teacher at the Marist Training Center, Tutu, Taveuni, Fiji; 1985-1990: Director of the Saint Martin de Porres Centre, Loloima, Vanuatu; 1990-1995: Parish priest, Malekula Island, Vanuatu; 1993-1996: Regional Superior, Vanuatu; 1996-1998: Formator of Novices, Tutu, Taveuni, Fiji; 1998-2000: Marist renewal program, Ireland; 2000-2006: Formator of Novices, Tutu, Taveuni, Fiji; since 2006: Provincial Superior for Oceania, Fiji.
The Diocese of Rarotonga (1966), suffragan of the Archdiocese of Suva, has an area of 234 sq. km, population 12,760, Catholics 2,531, priests 9, religious 12. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 11/04/2011)