By Staff Writers/
Apia, SAMOA -15 June 2024 – The Archbishop-elect for Samoa-Apia, Fr. Mosese Tui will be ordained in August. He is expected to be in Samoa by 21 July to prepare for his ordination on 22 August 2024.
This was confirmed by the Church Chancellor Fr. Spa Silva and the Church Canonist, Sister Evelina Tuia when they officially announced Fr. Mosese’s appointment in Apia on Thursday this week.
Pope Francis announced Father Mosese’s appointment on Wednesday night (Samoan time). Sr. Evelina said the process is that after the Vatican made the announcement, the ordination must take place within three months after the announcement.
This will give the appointee time to prepare and settle all his church affairs with his current parish before the ordination.
Asked if the church expected Fr. Mosese to be appointed, Fr. Spa said no one knew.
“We do not know who the candidates were, but the process is, the Archbishop after every three years provides a report with three names to Rome,” he said.
Catholic Church Chancellor Fr. Spa Silva and the Church Canonist, Sister Evelina Tuia making the announcement in Apia on Thursday morning.
Sr. Evelina elaborated that during the late Archbishop Alapati Mataeliga’s time in office, he provided three names after every three years to Rome to consider a replacement after his passing.
When the Archbishop died, the church office in Wellington was then tasked to investigate and assess the names already sent to Rome, and that investigation involved seeking opinions of church members and parishes.
The candidates must be 35 years up and have served as an ordained priest for 5 years.
“After the assessment or investigation, the report is sent to Rome and the Pope has the discretion to either accept the nominated candidate, or call for another candidate or appoint a candidate himself,” said Sr. Evelina.
She said it is not a position where a person applies for the position.
“The process is confidential and is conducted in secrecy,” she said.
Humour and hands on man
Of the Archbishop elects’ appointment, Father Spa Silva said it is a good change especially knowing Fr. Mosese’s character and his sense of humor.
Known as a hands on person, Father Mosese was in the forefront of establishing the Don Bosco Vocational colleges at Alafua and Savaii. He walked the full distance of Savaii Island twice to raise funds to establish Don Bosco Saleologa and to purchase a bus for the college.
The young men trained at Don Bosco were predominantly at the lower end of the academic scale. But underwent trades training and also realized their self-esteem and confidence through developing group dances and singing that captivated audiences during national days such as the Independence celebrations and the Teuila Festival.
The young men also learnt to work and row as one through their iconic fautasi or long boat – Segavao that has already made its mark in the history Samoan sports achievements.
