After months of preparations, the local Catholic Church is finally celebrating the ordination of its first Samoan Bishop, Fr. Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale, today.
The 49-year-old will take over the leadership of the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago from Bishop Peter Brown, however, the actual transition will not take place until next year.
After his ordination today, Bishop Kolio will serve as Coadjutor Bishop until Bishop Brown retires, next year.
The Mass of Ordination, led by Bishop Brown, begins at 9am and every seat in the Holy Family Cathedral at Fatuoaiga is expected to be filled.
Leaders of churches, government and community, have been invited to witness the consecration of the new Bishop, and a large number of relatives and friends of Bishop-elect Kolio have also arrived from the US mainland, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.
Co-consecrators for the Mass of Ordination are the Apostolic Delegate, or representative of Pope Francis, Rev. Novatus Rugambwa, and Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga of the Diocese of Samoa-Apia.
Following Mass, which will include Samoan traditions, there will by an ava ceremony by Fagasa village, a taalolo by the new Bishop’s home parish, St. Paul Iliili, and entertainment by Marist St. Francis, St. Theresa, and Faasao Marist High School. The day concludes with presentation of gifts by the local Diocese.
On Saturday, Bishop Adjunct Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale will offer his first Mass as Bishop at the Holy Family Cathedral, at 10 am.
