Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 20 June 2005 accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Wallis et Futuna (Pacific Islands) presented by Bishop Lolesio Fuahea in conformity with the Code of Canon Law al canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed Bishop of Wallis and Futuna (Pacific Islands) Rev. Padre Ghislain de Rasilly S.M., Marist Provincial Vicar for the Pacific Ocean.
Bishop elect Ghislain de Rasilly S.M., was born on 9 July 1943 at Juvardeil near Chàteauneuf diocese of Angers (France). He attended primary school in Paris and secondary school at Notre Dame de Buky. He entered the novitiate of the Society of Mary at La Neylière (diocese of Lyon) and studied philosophy and theology at Sainte Foy les Lyon with an interval of two years. He was ordained a priest in Paris on 6 November 1971. Since then he has been: chaplain at St. Pierre Chanel College at Thionville (1971-1973); Marist community in Tyé (New Caledonia east coast) (1973-1981); Marist community at Pouébo (New Caledonia north) (1981-1986); further studies at Catholic Faculty Paris (1985-1987); Marist community Superior and parish priest at Pouebo (1987-1995); Regional Superior in New Caledonia (2001-2002); secondary school and university Chaplain in Noumea (1995-2002). Since 2003 Marist Provincial Vicar for the Pacific Ocean, resident in Suva.
The archipelago of the Wallis and Futuna Islands lies in the Pacific Ocean and covers an area of 274 sq. km of land. Since 1959 it has been a French overseas territory. The two main islands are Wallis with the capital Mata-Uutu and Futuna. The first missionaries, French Marist Fathers arrived in 1837. On 11 November 1935 the mission was made an apostolic Vicariate and raised on 21 June 1966 to the rank of Diocese, suffragan di Noumea (New Caledonia). There is a population of about 14,000. There are 5 Catholic parishes and Catholic church personnel includes 10 Catholic priests (9 diocesan of whom 2 are in France and 1 religious ), 5 Brothers, 40 Sisters, and there are 6 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/6/2005; Righe 24; Parole 344)
