The emeritus bishop of Rarotonga, Stuart O’Connell, died in Auckland on Friday at the Little Sisters of the Poor, St Joseph’s Home, Herne Bay. He had been ill with cancer for some time. Pope John Paul II appointed O’Connell to be the bishop of Rarotonga in November 1996. He was ordained bishop on February 22 Read more
A fire at Nukutere College in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands’ only Catholic secondary school, has destroyed five classrooms, three resource rooms, a science lab, the tuck-shop and a store. This is the second time in 8 years that the College has been damaged by fire. Approximately two thirds of the College teaching space and most Read more
The bishop of the Hamilton diocese, in New Zealand, Denis Browne, has just celebrated a double anniversary; the jubilee of his priesthood and 35 years as a bishop. Before being appointed as the second bishop of Hamilton, in 1994, Bishop Denis was the bishop of Rarotonga from 1977 to 1983, and bishop of Auckland from 1983 Read more
Fr Paul Donoghue recently the Provincial of the Society of Mary in Oceania was ordained Bishop of Rarotonga by Bishop Stuart O’Connell on Sunday last. The people of the Diocese joined bishops, clergy and religious from across the Pacific; friends and family from New Zealand and elsewhere to see Paul Donoghue ordained Bishop. Bishop O’Connell, Read more
Emeritus Bishop of Rarotonga who served there as Bishop for 14 years before retiring in 1997 has launched his autobiography “Truly Blessed – My Story.” In it he records the struggles and joys of his priestly life, sharing personal stories and experiences. Sr Patricia Leamy, SMSM, the Bishop’s sister, writes in the foreword: “During his Read more