The Episcopal Conference of the Pacific, which is part of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conference of Oceania, elected a new president at its plenary assembly in New Caledonia last week.
More commonly known as CEPAC (Conferentia Episcopalis Pacifici), the conference elected Bishop Ryan Pagente Jimenez of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa in the Northern Mariana Islands as its new president. He succeeds the outgoing president, Bishop Paul Donoghue of the Rarotonga Diocese in the Cook Islands.
Broken Bay Bishop Anthony Randazzo, who is president of the FCBCO, congratulated Bishop Jimenez’s on his election.
“As president of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conference of Oceania, I have had the opportunity to work alongside Bishop Ryan, who is also a member of the FCBCO executive council,” Bishop Randazzo said.
“I very much look forward to deepening our collegial partnership and friendship through his new role.”
Bishop Jimenez said: “I have been a member of CEPAC for 13 years now — six years as Apostolic Administrator and seven years as bishop.
“With the grace of God and the support of my brother bishops, I look forward to working with you in a more synodal way, listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit and walking together in addressing challenges and issues in our region.”
The Episcopal Conference of the Pacific was established in 1968. It covers vast expanses of the northwestern Pacific Ocean including Guam, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Vanuatu, French Polynesia and Tonga.
CEPAC is part of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conference of Oceania, which also includes the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
FULL STORY
CEPAC Bishops Gather for Plenary Assembly in Noumea, New Caledonia (CEPAC)
Broken Bay Bishop Most Rev Anthony Randazzo Welcomes New CEPAC President (Broken Bay Diocese)
