Martyr Canonised

Bishop Consecrated And

TWO events of interest to Roman Catholics in the Pacific took place recently—one in Western Samoa and the other in Rome.

At Apia, in May, during a week of solemn ceremonies and gay festivities, the Most Rev. John Dieter, SM, was consecrated Vicar- Apostolic of Samoa and the Tokelau Islands, and Titular Bishop of Gerafi. The rites of consecration were performed by His Excellency Archbishop Romolo Carboni, Apostolic Delegate for Australasia and Oceania, who had journeyed from Sydney.

Father Dieter went to Samoa, from Germany, in 1937, and has been stationed there ever since. He succeeds the Most Rev. Joseph Darnand, SM, who recently retired —he will celebrate the 50th anni versary of his priesthood this month.

The consecration ceremony was performed outdoors, at Moamoa (headquarters of the Catholic Mission in Samoa), several miles from Apia, before about 12,000 people.

The High Commissioner (Mr. G. R.

Powles) attended the functions, and

entertained the principal Church people at his home at Vailima.

Meanwhile, in Rome, during June, Father Peter Chanel, a young French priest who was martyred at Futuna Island on April 28, 1841, was

raised to the dignity of a saint of the church by His Holiness Pope Pius 12th. The martyrdom of Father Chanel at the age of 38 marked the commencement of a considerable spread of the Catholic faith in the

Photograph taken during the Con secration ceremony shows some of the chief participants. On the right. Most Rev. John Dieter, who has just been consecrated; centre, Most Rev. Victor Foley, Roman Catholic Bishop of Fiji;

and, on the left, Most Rev. Dr. Joyce, Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, NZ. There were many visitors from American Samoa, led by Judge A Morrow, representing the Governor.

South Pacific. An important

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Futuna to-day English-speaking native priests are trained mostly in New Zealand.