The Catholic Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago, under the leadership of Bishop Peter Hugh Brown, C.S.SR., announces the Episcopal Ordination of Reverend Father Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale. He is the first Samoan to be ordained Bishop of the local Diocese.
The Mass of Ordination will be held at the Holy Family Cathedral, Fatu-o-Aiga, on November 4 at 9:00 am, followed by a Thanksgiving Mass on November 5 at 10:00 am.
The Principal Consecrator is Bishop H. Brown, and the Co-Consecrators are the Nuncio Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, Apostolic Delegate, and Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga of the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia.
The 49-year-old Bishop-Elect is the son of Tumanuvao Etuale Felise of Lotofaga, Samoa, and the late Maniva Palala of Moata’a, Samoa. He was raised in Iliili, American Samoa, by his second parents, Tumanuvao Kelekolio Tumanuvao and Monika Etuale.
Rev. Fr. Father Etuale obtained his BA in Philosophy and Master of Divinity at Mt. Angel Seminary in Oregon. He is, now, pursuing a doctorate in pastoral ministry and is a prospective graduate next year.
On May 29, 2003, he was ordained a priest in American Samoa and has worked extensively in parishes throughout the diocese for 19 years. He is best admired for his many years of service as a Catholic educator and an advocator for youth development. He was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese in 2021.
Fr. Kolio is profoundly gratified and humbled by his appointment and has urged parishioners, families, and friends to pray for him, as he assumes this new and important role.
Governor Lemanu S. P. Mauga, and Samoa Prime Minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, are among the VIP officials invited to the episcopal ceremony, next week.
