Christopher Cardone, O.P. is the new archbishop of Honiara.
He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Gizo in 2001 and from 2004 to the present he has been Bishop of Auki, Malaita Province.
A statement from the Archdiocese released to the media read, “On behalf of our Church Leaders, the clergies and the Catholic people of the Catholic Church of Solomon Islands we congratulate the newly appointed Archbishop Christopher Cardone OP, on your new appointment.”
“Our prayers are with you as you generously accept this appointment to continue serving our people in the Solomon Islands.”
The date for installation of the new Archbishop in the Archdiocese of Honiara is yet to be confirmed.
Cardone has served the Solomon Islands for the last 27 years.
He replaces Archbishop Adrian Smith who as retired on reaching the age of 75. He was Archbishop for 32 years
Honiara also has an auxiliary Bishop John Doaninoel. He was previously the auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea,
The area under the care of the Archdiocese of Honiara includes the five Provinces of Guadalcanal, Makira and Ulawa, Temotu, Central Islands and Rennell and Belona and the area governed by the Honiara Town Council. Total land area measures 10,726sq. kms.
Cardone born on December 20, 1957 in Long Island, New York, United States of America. After his studies at the Dominicano College (Rode Island), he made his religious profession on August 15th 1981.
He completed his studies at the “Dominican House of Studies” (Washington DC), before being ordained a priest on May 30, 1986.
After his ordination, he worked for two years as Assistant priest in Madeira, Cincinnati (Ohio).
In 1988 he moved to the Dominican Vicariate in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, where he held the following positions: 1988: assistant in Nila; 1988-1995: Director of the Church of St. Peter in Gizo, director of vocations; 1995-2000: parish priest in Noro; 2000-2001 parish priest in Nila.
In 2001 he was appointed titular bishop of Tuburnica and Auxiliary of Gizo.
On 19 October 2004 he was appointed to be the bishop of the Diocese of Auki.
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