OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA The Pope accepts resignation of Bishop of Lae appointing successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 15 January 2007 accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Lae (Papua New Guinea), presented by Bishop Henry Anthony A. van Lieshout, C.M.M., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. Pope Benedict XVI appointed new Bishop of Lae (Papua New Guinea) Rev. Fr. Christian Blouin, C.M.M., until now Master of Postulants in Lae.
Rev. Fr. Christian Blouin, C.M.M., was born 1 November 1941 at Saint-Sébastien, archdiocese of Quebec, Canada. He studied first in St. Sebastien and then at Mont Sainte-Arane, Sherbrooke, at the Congregation of the Missionaries of Marianhill. He made his first religious profession 22 August 1963 and was ordained a priest on 3 May 1969. Since then he has served as follows: 1969-1985: chaplain College Mont Ste.-Arane, Sherbrooke and Novice master; 1985-1986: parish priest in the diocese of Lae; 1989-2001: parish priest in Lae, Bumbu and Tent City/Taraka; 1992-1998: Provincial Superior in Papua New Guinea; 1999: Sabbatical year in Boston, USA; 2002-2005: rector of Marianhill College in Gerehu/Bomana. Since 2005 Director of Postulants in Lae.
The diocese of Lae is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Madang, and was created in 1966. It has an area of 35,698 sq. km., a population of 534,810 including 31,000 Catholics gathered in 18 parishes, assisted by 14 priests (3 diocesan and 11 religious) and 5 women religious and there are 4 seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/1/2007; Righe 18; Parole 251