Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rabaul

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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Rabaul is a Latin Rite Metropolitan Archdiocese in Papua New Guinea.

Contents

It has its cathedral episcopal see Sacred Heart Cathedral in Vunapope and a Co-Cathedral, St Francis Xavier's Co-Cathedral, in Rabaul.

On June 19, 2020, Rochus Josef Tatamai, M.S.C. was appointed the new archbishop.

History

In 1844, an Apostolic Vicariate of Melanesia was established with territory split off from the Apostolic Vicariate of Western Oceania.

On 8 December 1890, yet another new jurisdiction was hived off, named the Apostolic Vicariate of New Pomerania .

It lost territories repeatedly, to establish :

On 14 November 1922, it was renamed the Apostolic Vicariate of Rabaul.

On 5 July 1957, it lost territory again to establish the Apostolic Vicariate of Kavieng (now Rabaul's suffragan diocese).

On 15 November 1966, the diocese became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Rabaul.

On 4 July 2003, it lost territory to establish another suffragan see, the Diocese of Kimbe.

Coat of arms Archdiocese of Rabaul.jpg
Coat of arms
Archbishop Francesco Panfilo S.D.B. - Coat of arms Archbishop Francesco Panfilo SDB.jpg
Archbishop Francesco Panfilo S.D.B. - Coat of arms

Province

Its ecclesiastical province comprises, besides the Metropolitan's Archdiocese, the following suffragan bishoprics :

Bishops

(all Roman Rite; so far missionary members of Latin congregations)

Ordinaries

Apostolic Vicars of Melanesia
Apostolic Vicars of New Britain
Apostolic Vicar of new Pomerania
Apostolic Vicars of Rabaul
Metropolitan Archbishops of Rabaul

Coadjutor archbishop

Auxiliary bishops

Other priests of this diocese who became bishops

See also

References

    4°20′39″S152°16′37″E / 4.3441°S 152.2770°E / -4.3441; 152.2770