The Diocese of Pago Pago held a special Mass at the Holy Family Cathedral Sunday afternoon to celebrate 50 years as a priest of Monsignor Etuale Lealofi.
The 78 year old, now a resident of Hope House was the first priest to be ordained by the first Samoan Bishop, Pio Taofinuu who later became Cardinal Pio, in 1969.
Monsignor began serving the local Diocese in 1984 after many years of study and service in Smaoa and the region. He was the Principal of Moamoa Theological College which trained catechists and is also the first Samoan to be the Principal of the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji.
Monsignor Etuale is also the only Samoan priest to hold a degree in Canon Law.
The first Bishop of the local Diocese, John Quinn Weitzel, now retired successfully petitioned the Pope to bestow the title Monsignor on him in 1995, in recognition of his many years of tireless service.
First Lady Cynthia Malala Moliga, relatives of Monsignor Etuale and the Chairman of the Diocesan Council, Sen. Faiivae Alex Godinet attended the jubilee Mass led by Bishop Peter Brown with more than 20 priests of the Diocese concelebrating.
Bishop Brown said Monsignor Etuale was a simple man who worked behind the scenes but his service to the church and its people was immeasurable and long lasting.
