OCEANIA/WALLIS ET FUTUNA - Resignation of the Bishop of Wallis et Futuna and appointment of successor

Friday, 28 December 2018

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On December 24, 2018 the Holy Father Francis the resignation from the pastoral care of Wallis et Futuna (Pacific Islands), presented by His Exc. Msgr. Ghislain de Rasilly, SM, and appointed Fr. Susitino Sionepoe, SM, former provincial Vicar of the Society of Mary for Oceania, as Bishop of the same seat.
The Rev. Fr. Susitino Sionepoe, S.M., was born on 4 January 1965 in Vaitupu (Hihifo) in Wallis Island, diocese of Wallis et Futuna.
From 1982 to 1984 he participated in the Foyer Vocationnel of the Marist Community of Finetomai in Wallis, completing secondary school in Paita, in New Caledonia (1984). He entered the Congregation of the Marist Fathers and carried out his philosophical studies in the Pacific Regional Seminary of Suva, in Fiji (1985-1986). From 1987 to 1988 he served in the Navy in Pointe Chaleix Nouméa. Then he resumed his theological studies in the Pacific Regional Seminary (1988, 1990-1993), interrupted for a pastoral year in Pouébo, New Caledonia (1991). In 1992 he completed his "second novitiate" in Sydney, Australia. He received his priestly ordination on November 28, 1993 in the Diocese of Wallis et Futuna.
Since his ordination he has held the following positions: parish vicar in Nuku'alofa, Diocese of Tonga and Niue (1994-1995); Parish Vicar in Houma, Diocese of Tonga and Niue (1995-1996); Parish service in the Community of the North, Pouébo, New Caledonia (1996-2000); Parish service in the Community of the North, Koumac, New Caledonia (2000-2006); Année de Formation aux Ministères at the Catholic University of Paris, with 6 weeks of "Marist Renewal" course in Lyon and in Rome (2006-2007); Parish service in the Southern Community (Paroisse de La Conception) and in the Marist Community in Mont Dore-Saint Louis, New Caledonia (2007-2012); Provincial Vicar of Suva, in Fiji, and Religious Superior of the Marists of Wallis et Futuna (2012-2018); Spirituality and Lifestyle renewal course in Sydney, Australia (2014); Renewal course in Marymount in Sydney, Australia (2018); since 2018: Pastoral Ministry in the Parish with the Community of the PP. Marists of Yalé, in New Caledonia. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 28/12/2018)


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