Monsignor Paini Mafi consecrated as Coadjutor Bishop

Monsignor Paini Mafi consecrated as Coadjutor Bishop [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Friday, October 5, 2007 - 09:57. Updated on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 15:18.

Coadjutor Bishop Paini Mafi.

Soane Patita Paini Mafi was consecrated as Coadjutor Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Niue, in a Holy Mass last night.

Attended by His Majesty King George V and the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho, the sacred ceremony attracted around 1,000 people who not only filled the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary at Ma'ufanga, but poured on to the outside lawn.

Queen Mother arrives at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

His Lordship Bishop Dr Soane Lilo Foliaki conducted the main celebrant assisted by Bishops and over 50 priests from Tonga and Oceania.

In the Catholic Church, Monsignor Paini Mafi's role as Coadjutor Bishop is to assist Bishop Soane Lilo Foliaki, and will take over as Bishop of Tonga and Niue once he retires.

Paini 45 was ordained as a Catholic Priest in 1991, served as Vicar General of the Diocese from 1995-97. He was also the Vice Rector of the Pacific Regional Seminary since 2000, a position he recently completed.

Paini Mafi's mother 'Onevao and siblings.

Catholic priests, seminaries and bishops walks to mass.

Father 'Aisake Vaisima with fellow priests prepares to walk into mass.

Necklaces prepared especially for the occasion.

His Lordship Bishop Dr Soane Lilo Foliaki.

Paini with Archbishop Petero Mataca of Fiji.

Archbishop Alapati Mata'eliga of Samoa.

Paini with Father Seluini 'Akau'ola and Father Falemaka.

Beginning of the holy mass.

The consecration ritual of Monsignor Paini Mafi as Coadjutor Bishop begins.

The holy oil ritual conducted by Bishop Foliaki.

The completion of the consecration ceremony.

Religion [2]