Resignation of bishop of Wallis et Futuna (Pacific Islands) and appointment of successor

The Holy Father Francis has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Wallis et Futuna (Pacific Islands), presented by H.E. Msgr. Ghislain de Rasilly, S.M.

The Pope has appointed as bishop of the same see the Rev. Fr. Susitino Sionepoe, S.M., former provincial vicar of the Society of Mary for Oceania.

Rev. Fr. Susitino Sionepoe, S.M.

The Rev. Fr. Susitino Sionepoe, S.M., was born on 4 January 1965 in Vaitupu, Hihifo, in Wallis Island, diocese of Wallis et Futuna. From 1982 to 1984 he participated in the Foyer Vocationnel of the Marist Community in Finetomai in Wallis, completing secondary school in Paita, in New Caledonia (1984). He entered the Congregation of the Marist Fathers, carrying out his philosophical studies in the Pacific Regional Seminary of Suva, in Fiji (1985-1986). From 1987 to 1988 he carried out his naval military service at Pointe Chaleix Nouméa. He subsequently undertook his theological studies in the Pacific Regional Seminary (1988, 1990-1993), interrupted by a pastoral year in Pouébo, New Caledonia (1991). In 1992 he completed his “second novitiate” in Sydney, Australia.

He received priestly ordination on 28 November 1993 in the diocese of Wallis et Futuna.

Since ordination he has held the following offices: parish vicar in Nuku’alofa, diocese of Tonga and Niue (1994-1995); parish vicar in Houma, diocese of Tonga and Niue (1995-1996); parish service in the Northern Community, Pouébo, New Caledonia (1996-2000); parish service in the Northern Community, Koumac, New Caledonia (2000-2006); Année de Formation aux Ministères at the Catholic University of Paris, with a six-week course on “Marist Renewal” in Lyon and in Rome (2006-2007); parish service in the Southern Community (Paroisse de la Conception) and in the Marist Community in Mont Dore-Saint Louis, New Caledonia (2007-2012); provincial vicar of Suva, Fiji, and religious superior of the Marists of Wallis et Futuna (2012-2018); refresher course in Spirituality and Lifestyle in Sydney, Australia (2014); refresher course at the Marymount in Sydney, Australia (2018); from 2018, pastoral ministry in the parish with the Community of the Marist Fathers of Yalé, New Caledonia.