The Samoan-born, raised and ordained priest (pictured) will replace Archbishop Alapati Lui Mata'eliga who died in April last year.

Tui's episcopal ordination is expected to take place on 22 August 2024.

Delighted response

The move has been met with widespread acclaim and congratulations in Samoa.

Among the many well-wishers is Samoa's Leader of Opposition, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, who expressed his delight at the appointment during his weekly press conference.

Tuilaepa highlighted Tui's significant career and ontributions to both the Catholic Church and the Samoan community.

Known for his warmth and sense of humour, Tui has made a lasting impact through his leadership roles at Don Bosco technical colleges in Alafua and Savai'i.

Social media is also humming with congratulations, prayers and blessings in both Samoan and English - and with smiling and heart-shaped emojis - for Tui.

"A good choice for Samoa Catholic Church. shepherd boy from Safotu. May the holy spirit shine on you" one post says.

Others say things such as:

"May you continue to inspire and bless many more people. We are glad to be part of this journey."

"I'm sure God will continually bless you in many ways on your next journey for him."

"Vi'ia le Atua. Fa'afetai mo le filifiliga o se a'uauna taumafai , tausa'afia, loto alofa, ma finau mo le Atua." (Praise God. (Thank you for the choice of a servant who strives, is friendly, has a loving heart and fights for God.)

Among those congratulating Tui is Auckland Bishop, Steve Lowe.

"Fr Mosese will bring the joy of the Gospel to his new diocese as well as his gift of unifying people in their love and service of our God" said Lowe.

"While it is a sad day for the people of St Paul's Parish and for us in the Diocese of Auckland, I am delighted with the Holy Father's appointment for him as the new archbishop of Samoa-Apia.

"Fr Mosese will bring the joy of the Gospel to his new diocese as well as his gift of unifying people in their love and service of our God."

Coming home

The new archbishop-elect looks forward to coming home to the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia and considers his priority is working with the priests.

"To work together with the priests is very important. Teamwork is key in our ministry" Tui says.

He is also looking forward to reaching out to the community and working with youth.

This will be critical in his new leadership role, he says.

"I believe there is a strong presence of the youth in our churches in Samoa, but we need to reach out more and listen to them."

According to the 2021 Samoan census, there are 36,096 Catholics in Samoa, the country's second-largest Christian denomination. Samoa's total population is 205,557.

Source

• NZ Catholic Bishops Conference
• Samoa Observer
• Facebook

Alapati Lui Mataeliga took the opportunity to lash out at the Human Rights Protection Party-led (H.R.P.P.) caretaker Government and its leadership during Samoa's constitutional crisis.

His fiery sermon covered the crisis triggered by caretaker Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi's refusal to concede defeat and several controversial Bills rushed through parliament last year.

Tuilaepa and a few H.R.P.P. members were sitting in the front row of the congregation during the Mass.

Samoa is sliding into a dictatorship, the leader of Samoa's second largest religion warned during his sermon.

Alapati decried the current state of the nation on the eve of Samoa's 59 years of independence.

"There is no peace and there is no unison and it appears as if our forefathers shed blood for no reason," he said.

"This all comes down to Government leaders fighting for power."

He went on to remind the leaders that they are public servants, called to serve Samoa. They should remember the Government was elected by the same people who can remove them from power.

"The heart of any democratic government is the constitution and the rule of law.

"The constitution outlines the rule of law and its purpose is to interpret and protect what stipulates under the law and what's happening now, the constitution is broken with a number of amendments, some of which were rushed into law.

The caretaker Government lost the election as they didn't listen to the public, he said.

"Our constitution has lost its sacredness and the same applies to the law, it's not being followed."

The caretaker Government's disregard of the Courts' judgements was highlighted, as was its preference for overseas judges and lawyers.

"Maybe they will also bring in overseas police officers ... it is saddening this colonial rule as a result of actions by those in the greed for power.

"And power stinks and it will also kill you if you don't know how to use it!"

Saying "absolute power corrupts absolutely", Alapati again stressed that Samoa is heading into a dictatorship.

"It will not end well; the biggest concern is the impact on the members of the public," he said.

He urged Samoa's chiefs to intervene and "make a stand for Samoa as a whole."

If the chiefs won't act the Catholic Church will, out of love for Samoa and its people.

"We will march in the country and will carry the cross and the word of God with prayers and hymns."

Referencing the importance of Samoa's Independence day, Alapati called for peace in the country.

"Stop this madness of dictatorship and being conceited and be humble," he said.

The Archbishop appealed to Samoa's current Head of State to stand up for peace and for Samoans everywhere to pray 'for their kingdom to be from heaven'.

Source

• Samoa Observer
• Image: Samoa Observer