CathNews New Zealand

Last Thursday the Vatican announced that the Pope has appointed Bishop John Doaninoel sm, as the auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Honiara, Solomon Islands. Bishop John has been auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea since 2008.

In his role as auxiliary Bishop he will assist Archbishop Adrian Smith who has been Archbishop of Honiara for 26 years. The archdiocese takes in the Provinces of Central Islands, Guadalcanal, RenBel, Makira Ulawa and Temotu as well as the City of Honiara. It is an extensive area and so there is a real need for an auxiliary Bishop to assist with in its pastoral care.

Bishop John brings a depth of experience with him.  He worked for many years in parishes in Bougainville and then served there as the Marist Regional Superior. His long pastoral experience of the troubled times in Bougainville prepare him well for his work in the Solomon Islands as the people rebuild their country following the years of civil unrest.

Archbishop Smith said that the archdiocese is now preparing to welcome Bishop John however the date of his arrival is still not fixed. The process of application for a residence permit and a work permit for Bishop John has not yet begun. Now that the appointment has been made, process will begin as soon as possible.

Bishop John is from Bougainville and was born 01/03/1950. He is a member of the Society of Mary, the Marist Fathers and Brothers, [sm]. He was Ordained priest on 20/12/80. He was ordained Bishop on 08/03/2008 and appointed as auxiliary Bishop to the Archdiocese of Rabaul.

Source

• The press officer of the archdiocese of Honiara

Additional reading

• The Catholic Church in the Solomon Islands

News category: Asia Pacific.