Father Paul Martin will be 10th Catholic Bishop of Christchurch. His ordination is expected to be next year, possibly in February.

One of the important issues he will need to address is the restoration of the quake-damaged Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.

As news of his appointment was announced, Martin said "I'd like to express what a privilege it is to be chosen to serve in the Diocese of Christchurch as bishop, following in the footsteps of those before me. I am really looking forward to taking up this ministry and leading the diocese."

Bishop Patrick Dunn, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference welcomed the appointment.

"We know that he will bring a new voice and a valuable perspective to our discussions," he said.

"It is wonderful for Christchurch that they will receive a bishop who has worked with a range of communities, has extensive pastoral experience and comes to the role with a wealth of knowledge and expertise."

Dunn also took the opportunity to thank Father Rick Loughnan who has been the Diocesan Administrator in Christchurch since the death of Jones.

Loughnan has welcome the appoint of the new bishop too. "We are delighted with the appointment by Pope Francis and look forward to welcoming bishop-elect Paul with open arms," he said.

Provincial of the Society of Mary, Fr David Kennerley said Martin has a broad range of talents. "Administratively very capable, people readily acknowledge his warm pastoral approach", he said.

Martin was born in Hastings in 1967, one of five children. He entered formation for the Society of Mary in February 1985 and studied in theology and arts at Victoria University in Wellington.

He completed a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum University in Rome and studied to become a teacher.

Martin taught english and religious education in New Zealand and has held the roles of rector at St Patrick's College in Wellington and Deputy Rector in Pastoral Care at St Bede's College, Christchurch.

Although his main ministry has been in education, after his ordination in 1993 he spent time as part of the Maori pastoral team in the South Hokianga. He was also a chaplain at Hato Paora College in 2002 and 2003.

Read the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference Media release.

Source

• Supplied Amanda Gregan. New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference
• The Press
• Zenit
• The Society of Mary New Zealand
• Image: George Driver Stuff

Roszynski was born in 1962 in Nidzica, diocese of Warmia, Poland.

After completing his studies at the major Seminary of the Society of the Divine Word in Pieniezno, he was ordained a priest for the same religious Congregation on April 30th 1989.

Roszynski replaces Bishop Tony Burgess who died in October 2013.

After his ordination, he served in a number of pastoral and academic roles:

• 1989-1991: Parish Ministry in Pieniezno, Poland
• 1991-1992: Study of the English language in Maynooth, Ireland
• 1992-2014: Missionary in the Diocese of Wewak,
• 1992-1993: Vice-pastor in Kunjingini
• 1993-1994: Studies at the Divine Word University - Melanesian Culture Course and Diploma in Human Resource Management
• 1994-2000: Pastor in Warabung
• 1996-1997: Studies at the Divine Word University - Counselling skills
• 1997-2002: Pastor in the district of Wirui
• 2001-2010 Member of the Provincial Council of the Divine Word Missionaries in Papua New Guinea
• 2002-2014: Pastor in the district of Wewak
• 2005-2008: Superior of the Divine Word of Wewak District
• 2009-2010: temporary Provincial Superior of the Divine Word in Papua New Guinea
• 2010-2014: Superior of the Divine Word of Wewak District
• 2013-2014: Member of the Commissions created by the Apostolic Administrator for the management of finances and for the pastoral care of the vacant.

The Diocese of Wewak has a population of some 367,000, with 224,000 Catholics. They are served by about 40 priests and 90 religious.

At present Divine Word Missionaries work in the archdioceses of Madang, Mount Hagen and Port Moresby, and in the diceses of Wewak, Kundiawa, Wabag and Goroka.

Divine Word Missionary Bishops now serve in Madang, Kundiawa, Wabag, Goroka, and two in Mount Hagan.

Source

• Zenit
• Catholic Reporter PNG
• Agenzia fides
• svdmissions.org
• Image: photos.wikimapia.org

The Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Marianas has entered its third year without a new bishop.

Rev. Fr. Ryan P. Jimenez, apostolic administrator for the diocese, said the CNMI will have a prelate "not in our time but in God's time."

"If anything, it's a lesson for us to wait patiently. It's hard but I guess that's where the Lord wants us to be at this time," he said in an interview.

Jimenez said the process of selecting a new bishop is long and begins with the Commonwealth's apostolic delegate in New Zealand.

"He is the pope's representative and he's the one doing all this work of inquiry and background check. He will be the one to let us know if there is a new bishop," he said.

Source

• Saipan Tribune
• Image: Cook Island News

Bishop-elect Donald was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on June 12, 1957, to Donald and Elaine (Unites) Lippert and was baptized at St. Basil Church in Carrick. When he was a year old, his family moved to Beechview and became members of St. Catherine of Siena Church, where he attended the parish school for his elementary education. He graduated from South Hills Catholic in 1975. He would go on for his college education first at the University of Pittsburgh, then Duquesne University and eventually St. Fidelis College in Herman, PA.

Archbishop Petero Mataca will visit the Holy See next month on his "ad limina" visit which is made every five years. Archbishop Petero said "Last March, I sent my report covering the last five years. When Rome receives that, they divide it and give it to the five different ministries."

A summary of his report would also be given to Pope Benedict XVI. "We will meet for about 15 minutes and during that time we will discuss my report," he said.

In July, 2009, Archbishop Mataca having reached the age of 75, confirmed sending his resignation letter to the Vatican City in Rome and that was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI.

In September 2009 the personal assistant to Archbishop Petero Mataca, Sister Sera Heritage, said the name of new archbishop would be announced by Pope Benedict XVI from Rome and that could be around December 2009 or January 2010.

"Choosing a new archbishop is a process — it's not simple voting. It could take a few months or even a year." She added that Vanuatu waited three years before a new bishop was named.

Source

• The Fiji Times November 2011
• The Fiji Times September 2009
• Image: Anglicantaonga

All the Catholic bishops of New Zealand, the Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand, two visiting bishops from Australia, priests and parishioners from across the diocese, Christchurch visitors, members of Catholic Maori communities and representatives from colleges and schools attended the ordination ceremony in the Holy Spirit Cathedral.

Bishop Drennan will assist Bishop Peter Cullinane in the governance and pastoral care of the diocese. After Bishop Cullinane retires at the end of the year Bishop Drennan will succeed him as Bishop of the diocese.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: NZCBC