The Vatican has appointed New Zealander Father Peter Brown, as Bishop of Samoa Pago Pago.
Bishop elect Brown is a member Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists – C.Ss.R).
After being professed as a Redemptorist in 1979 Fr Peter’s first appointment was to their newly established mission in Samoa. In the community with him were fellow Redemptorists Fr (later bishop) Patrick Hurley, and Fr. Brian Consedine.
After five years in Samoa Peter sought ordination to the priesthood and took up studies at the Yarra Theological Union, Melbourne, Australia. In 1981 he was ordained in Greymouth, New Zealand, by Bishop Brian Ashby, and graduated from YTU the following year.
He then returned to Samoa as parish priest of Our Lady of the Sea church in Safotu Savaii where he served till the Redemptorists reluctantly withdrew in 1987 because of limited numbers.
When Fr Peter returned to New Zealand from Samoa in 1987, Bishop Denis Browne appointed him chaplain to the 27 Samoan communities that were part of the wider Samoan Catholic Community spread across Auckland. He held that position for twelve years before being appointed parish priest of St. Peter Chanel in Clover Park, South Auckland.
For the period 2005-09 Fr. Peter was coordinator of the Redemptorist Region of Asia-Oceania during which time he participated in the restructuring of the worldwide Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer into five Conferences (regions). As that structure took shape he became the coordinator of the sub Conference of South East Asia – Oceania. At the time of his appointment as bishop he was a member of the Redemptorist’s Asia-Oceania Council.
At the time of his appointment, Fr. Peter, 66, was serving as the Redemptorist leader in the Aotearoa New Zealand region, a role he has held for many years.
Bishop John Quinn Weitzel, the first Bishop of Samoa Pago Pago, announced that he is retiring at last Friday morning’s mass at Fatuoaiga and at the same time made known Fr Peter’s appointment as his replacement.
Bishop Quinn was ordained a Catholic priest in 1955 and in 1986 was ordained a Catholic bishop after being appointed by the late Pope John Paul II to head the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago. Prior to moving to the territory, he served in Samoa as a Catholic priest.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Bishop Quinn celebrated his 85h birthday on May 10th this year and it was the same day that he was presented the Distinguished Citizens Award from the Boy Scouts of America, Aloha Council of the American Samoa District.
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