Samoan Catholics give thanks for Pope Francis

Friday, March 15th, 2013

A mass of thanksgiving for the election of Pope Francis will be celebrated on Friday at 6pm at Shrine of the Three Hearts church at Vaoala, in Samoa.

This year has been one of surprise for the Catholics of Samoa at events at the tip of the hierarchy of their church.

First there was the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and now, yesterday, the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as his replacement.

“We are all surprised,” said Father Ioane Ono, who as Chancellor is head of the church’s Chancery Office in Apia.

“For Cardinal Bergoglio’s name was never mentioned in public speculations as a likely candidate for the Papacy,” said Father Ono.

“It shows the difference between what is on the minds of humans and God’s plans,” he said.

“What direction Pope Francis 1 will take the church of 1.2 billion members is an intriguing question for Catholics here.”

“For the time being we’re happy we have a Pope,” said Father Ono.

On Thursday afternoon Ono was at working on a draft statement of congratulations and thanksgivings on behalf of Samoan Catholics to be sent to Pope Francis.

Once Archbishop Alapati Mataelega approves the statement it will be read at the mass tomorrow and sent to the Papal Nuncio office in Wellington, New Zealand, for delivery to the pope.

Source