“Faia mea uma i le Alofa. Everything with love.”
That was the motto of the first Bishop of the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago, after it became independent from the Archdiocese of Samoa.
Most Rev. John Quinn Weitzel, a Maryknoll priest from Chicago was ordained Bishop of the local diocese in 1986 and served until he retired in 2013, way past the retirement age of Catholic bishops.
Bishop Emeritus John Quinn Weitzel
Last Friday, the Feast Day of the Holy Family, which the local Cathedral Parish at Fatuoaiga is named after, Bishop Emeritus John Quinn passed away at the Maryknoll residence for retired bishops and cardinals in New York. He was 94.
A wake will be held tomorrow at Maryknoll, New York and among those attending is his long time caregiver, Tita Melania Fiso and daughter Melania Fiso Shelly, who now reside in North Carolina.
A fine mat that Bishop Quinn was given while here, will be laid on his coffin. He was so in love with the Samoan culture and had written in his wishes that the fine mat be used at his funeral. His body will then be taken to Chicago for a funeral service at a date to be announced. It’s Bishop Quinn’s wish that he be buried with his parents in Chicago.
Bishop Peter Brown, who became the second Bishop of the local diocese said that at the Feast Day Mass of the Holy Family on Friday, a memorial Mass of Resurrection for Bishop Quinn is being planned for American Samoa. Details will be announced once they are confirmed. Bishop Brown plans to attend Bishop Quinn’s internment in Chicago.
Earlier, Friday afternoon, Bishop Brown posted on the diocesan Facebook page, “With sadness I received news just now that our loved Bishop Quinn Weitzel passed away at his residence today at Maryknoll, New York. He died peacefully after a short illness.” Bishop Brown asked Catholics to pray for “this true servant of God and his family and his Maryknoll family.”
In his lifetime, Bishop Quinn was a Maryknoll priest for 67-years, and a bishop for 36-years, 29 of which he was as Bishop of the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago. He was a devout man of prayer and faith.
During his tenure, Bishop Quinn was devoted to building up Catholic schools, the youth, Hope House, the catechetical program which taught the Catholic faith to children and young adults, and established Catholic Social Services.
Tita Melania Fiso, daughter Melania & children with Bishop Quinn
He also started the four year deaconate program and began a local catechist training program, which ended the sending of local catechists for training at Moamoa Theological College in Samoa.
With a soft spot for the youth, he poured a lot of his own funds into buying band equipment which started the Fatuoaiga Band, which from the late 1980s to the early 1990s was the band of choice for all government and community events.
Bishop Quinn also started a music program at Faasao Marist High School, introducing students to orchestral instruments like violins, cello and flute. He also had his own Cathedral Strings with children from the cathedral parish.
Until he left the territory, for many of the young adults—some of whom are now department directors, business owners or servants of God—Bishop Quinn was the only bishop they knew from kindergarten to college. He was at every graduation ceremony, and nearly every championship game.
Bishop Quinn also established an office of social communications, which produced a monthly newsletter, Vaopunimatagi—the title which he was bestowed while at Falealupo, Savaii, his first parish after moving from the US.
In the territory, he was treated as the most senior church leader and was often invited to lead prayer services for government ceremonies like Flag Day, during the administrations of Governors Coleman, Lutali, Tauese, Togiola and Lolo. He also supported the National Council of Churches of American Samoa.
Bishop Quinn with the late Catechist Asalemo & Salota
The Holy Family Cathedral at Fatuoaiga was built under Bishop Quinn’s leadership and incorporated Samoan designs and artwork as shown in statues, Stations of the Cross and other features, created by the late master carver Sven Ortquist.
Principal Victor Langkilde and family visited Bishop Quinn in New York
It was through Bishop Quinn’s contacts with the US Conference of Bishops and international Catholic organizations that the diocese was blessed with many benefactors, which enabled the local diocese to grow.
After he left American Samoa, Bishop Quinn resided first at a Maryknoll retirement home near Sacramento, before moving to New York. He received several visitors at both residences, many from American Samoa and also former parishioners, now residing in the mainland.
An excerpt from a video that Melania Fiso Shelly recorded during a visit with Bishop Quinn in 2019.
Play Audio
Tofa Soifua Bishop Quinn!
