The people of the Diocese joined bishops, clergy and religious from across the Pacific; friends and family from New Zealand and elsewhere to see Paul Donoghue ordained Bishop.

Bishop O'Connell, the retiring bishop, was Principal Consecrator. He was assisted by co-consecrators: the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo and Bishop Denis Browne of Hamilton, New Zealand, himself a former Bishop of the Cook Islands.

The traditional white Sunday best was seen everywhere together with an array of hats that could have could have outshone Ascot. A beautiful ei (flower garland) had been made for every visitor and those who were not adorned with a hat had flowers in their hair.

The ceremony itself was a combination of Roman rite, Cook Islands style and human love and warmth. Bishop Stu and his organising committee had everything well prepared. The Papal Bull was read in Latin and English.

After the ceremony Bishop Paul was carried in a sede gestatoria - a tradition seen only in Rome and the Cook Islands. Bishop Paul sat on top of his chair and was carried from the Cathedral of St Joseph towards the grounds of St Joseph's School where the kaikai followed.

Looking relaxed Bishop Paul sat watching the performances, feasting, laughing and genuinely happy that the day and his welcome had been so successful.

Source and more pictures: www.sm.org.nz

Born in Auckland, Paul was ordained a priest in 1975. After ordination, Paul taught for some time at St Bede's College Christchurch, before joining the Marist Oceania province.

Paul currently serves as the Provincial Superior of the Oceania province. Prior to being provincial he taught at Chanel College, Samoa, was Marist novice master at Tutu.

The diocese has 2,500 Catholics which represents 17% of the population, as well as the Cathedral, the diocese ministers in two parishes, two primary and one secondary school. While Rarotonga is reasonably small, the geographical area of the Cook Islands covers the area similar to that occupied by Europe.

Bishop elect Donoghue succeeds Bishop Stuart O'Connell SM.

A little while back Bishop O'Connell turned 75, the retirement age for a bishop, and the Holy Father accepted his resignation.

Source

• Catholic Hierachy