Diocese of

Vanimo

Papua New Guinea

Continent: Oceania

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Vanimo / 瓦尼莫 (正體中文) / Uanimitan(us) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Madang

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1963.09.13: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Vanimo / 瓦尼莫 (正體中文) / Uanimitan(us) (Latin) (from Apostolic Vicariate of Aitape)
1966.11.15: Promoted as Diocese of Vanimo / 瓦尼莫 (正體中文) / Uanimitan(us) (Latin) (became suffragan of Madang)

Contact Info

Address: Bishop’s House, P.O. Box 205, Vanimo, W.S.P. 551, Papua New Guinea

Phone: 457.1031

Papal Visits

Pope Francis (2024.09)

Present Prelates

Bishop (2018.02.05 – ...):

Bishop Francis Meli (61)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Vanimo (Roman Rite)

Bishop Francis Meli (61)
(2018.02.05 – ...)

Bishop of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea)

Justitia et veritas

Born:	1962.07.21 (Poi Island, Papua New Guinea)
Ordained Priest:	1991.11.24
Consecrated Bishop:	2018.04.25

Priest of Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) (1991.11.24 – 2018.02.05)

Bishop of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) (2018.02.05 – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Aitape (Papua New Guinea) (2019.09.21 – 2021.05.13)

Bishop Cesare Bonivento, P.I.M.E. (83)
(1991.12.21 – 2018.02.05)

Bishop emeritus of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea)

Euntes docete omnes gentes

Born:	1940.09.30 (Chioggia, Italy)
Ordained Priest:	1965.06.26
Consecrated Bishop:	1992.05.10

Bishop of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) (1991.12.21 – 2018.02.05)

Fr. David Wilkie, C.P.
(Apostolic Administrator 1989 – 1991.12.21)

Bishop John Etheridge, C.P.
(1980.04.24 – 1989.02.07)

Born:	1935.10.02 (Australia)
Ordained Priest:	1971.01.13
Consecrated Bishop:	1980.08.12
Died:	2002.08.14 († 66)

Bishop of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) (1980.04.24 – 1989.02.07)

Bishop Paschal Sweeney, C.P.
(1966.11.15 – 1979.09.22)

Ut diligatis invicem

Born:	1912.12.13 (Australia)
Ordained Priest:	1935.07.11
Consecrated Bishop:	1967.01.25
Died:	1981.09.01 († 68)

Prefect Apostolic of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) (1963.09.20 – 1966.11.15)

Bishop of Vanimo (Papua New Guinea) (1966.11.15 – 1979.09.22)

Prefects Apostolic of Vanimo (Roman Rite)

Fr. Paschal Sweeney, C.P. (later Bishop)
(1963.09.20 – 1966.11.15)

(see above)

Special Churches

Pro-Cathedral: Holy Cross Pro-Cathedral, Vanimo, West Sepik

Jayapura (←), Aitape (→), Daru–Kiunga (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 26,000 km²

Population: 41,656 Catholics (33.4% of 124,841 total)

Pastoral Centres: 25 parishes, 85 missions

Personnel: 26 priests (9 diocesan, 17 religious), 43 religious (17 brothers, 26 sisters), 20 seminarians

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2024.05.15

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