Reverend Rochus appointed ‘New Archbishop’ of Rabaul
- Nigel Akuani
Port Moresby: The Holy Father has appointed new Archbishop of the Diocese of Rabaul, His Excellency Most Reverend Rochus Tatamai MSC, who formerly served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Kavieng.
The good news of his appointment was announced on Friday 19th June, by the Apostolic Nunciature in Papua New Guinea, after they were informed that His Holiness, Pope Francis, had accepted the resignation presented to him by outgoing Emeritus Archbishop His Grace Most Reverend Francesco Panfilo SDB,from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Rabaul for having reached the age limit.
The Nuncio has urged for all to pray for him so that the Lord may bless and guide him as he takes up the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Rabaul.
On behalf of the Catholic communities and agencies: Congratulations to Most Reverend Rochus Tatamai msc, for his new mission in the church; and our sincerest Gratitude to Archbishop Francisco Panfilo sdb, for his dedicated service to the church in Rabaul.
Outgoing Emeritus Archbishop, His Grace Most Reverend Francesco Panfilo SDB
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Curriculum Vitae of His Excellency Most Reverend Rochus TATAMAI, M.S.C
His Excellency Most Reverend Rochus TATAMAI, M.S.C was born on 24th September 1962 in Rakunai, in East New Britain Province.
From 1969-1975, he studied at St Augustine Primary school at his hometown and attended the Secondary School from 1976-1978.
From 1978-1981, he studied at Ulapia Minor Seminary then entered the Novitiate of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart at Vunapau from 1981 – 1983. He made his first Profession on 2ndFebruary 1983 and then went to study Philosophy and Theology at Bomana Holy Spirit Seminary, from 1983-1989.
On 2ndFebruary 1989, he made his final Profession as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and received the priestly ordination on 26thNovember 1989.
From 1990 – 1992, Fr Tatamai was Administrator of St Mary’s Cathedral in Port Moresby.
From 1993 – 1995, he was Vocation Director within the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and then Acting Director of the Post-Novitiate, from 1995 – 1996.
In 1997, he obtained a Diploma in “Christian Communications and Development” from the Pontifical University of St Patrick at Maynooth, Ireland.
In 2003, he went to Issoudoum, in France, where he was part of the Inter-Congregational group of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, dedicated to assisting and giving spiritual care to the pilgrims at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
In 2005, he was elected Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Papua New Guinea.
On 8th July 2005, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI appointed Fr Rochus J. Tatamai Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of the Diocese of Kerema.
On 29th November 2007, the same Supreme Pontiff appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Bereina.
In 2017, Bishop Tatamai was elected President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
On 22nd June 2018, the Holy Father Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of the Diocese of Kavieng.