The Diocese of Vanimo is a Latin Catholic suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Madang in Papua New Guinea, and depends on the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Its cathedral episcopal see is the Holy Cross Pro-cathedral, in Vanimo in the province of West Sepik (Sandaun).
Statistics
As per 2015, it pastorally served 37,765 Catholics (34.0% of 111,000 total population) on 26,000 kmò in 13 parishes and 96 missions with 26 priests (8 diocesan, 18 religious), 43 lay religious (20 brothers, 23 sisters) and 14 seminarians.
History
- It was erected in 1963.09.13 as Apostolic Vicariate of Vanimo / Uanimitanus (Latin adjective), on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of Aitape (now a diocese)
- Promoted on 1966.11.15 as Diocese of Vanimo / Uanimitan(us) (Latin).
Ordinaries
(all Roman rite, initially foreign members of missionary congregations)
Apostolic Prefect of Vanimo
Suffragan Bishops of Vanimo
- Paschal Sweeney, C.P. (see above 1966.11.15 â retired 1979.09.22), died 1981
- John Etheridge, C.P. (born Australia) (1980.04.24 â retired 1989.02.07), died 2002
- Apostolic Administrator Father David Wilkie, C.P. (1989 â 1991.12.21), no other prelature
- Cesare Bonivento, Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (P.I.M.E.) (born Italy) (1991.12.21 â retired 2018.02.05)
- Francis Meli (first native incumbent) (2018.02.05 â ...).
See also
References
Sources and External links