Diocese of Alotau-Sideia

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Bishop(s) Francesco Panfilo, S.D.B., Bishop Desmond Charles Moore, M.S.C., Bishop Emeritus

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Name Changed: 28 April 1975 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Port Moresby Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Papua New Guinea Square Kilometers: 20,000 (7,725 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 105, Alotau, Milne Bay Province 211, Papua New Guinea Telephone: 641.13.54 Fax: 641.13.25

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Samarai
  • Latin Name: Samaraiensis
  • Erected: 13 June 1946
  • Country: Papua New Guinea

• Vicariate Apostolic of Samarai
  • Elevated: 11 November 1956
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Papua New Guinea

• Diocese of Sideia
  • Latin Name: Sideianus
  • Elevated: 15 November 1966
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Port Moresby
  • Country: Papua New Guinea

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Francis John Doyle, M.S.C. † (18 May 1951 Appointed - 7 Mar 1970 Resigned)
• Desmond Charles Moore, M.S.C. (7 Mar 1970 Appointed - 25 Jun 2001 Retired)
• Francesco Panfilo, S.D.B. (25 Jun 2001 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Samarai
13 June 1946	Erected	Vicariate Apostolic of Papua	Prefecture Apostolic of Samarai (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Samarai
11 November 1956	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Samarai	Vicariate Apostolic of Samarai
Diocese of Sideia
15 November 1966	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Samarai	Diocese of Sideia
Diocese of Alotau-Sideia
28 April 1975	Name Changed	Diocese of Sideia	Diocese of Alotau-Sideia

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Diocese of Sideia
1970		104,000	.0%		21	21	0		37	22	10	ap1971
Diocese of Alotau-Sideia
1980	13,100	113,000	11.6%	1	18	19	689		27	24		ap1981
1990	22,342	132,943	16.8%	1	18	19	1,175		28	39	30	ap1991
1999	29,132	176,519	16.5%	1	16	17	1,713	1	24	32	22	ap2000
2000	29,642	176,519	16.8%	1	17	18	1,646		26	34	21	ap2001
2001	30,450	180,000	16.9%	2	18	20	1,522	1	31	28	21	ap2002
2002	38,639	209,054	18.5%	2	18	20	1,931	1	28	36	22	ap2003
2003	33,260	212,400	15.7%	2	19	21	1,583	1	29	36	22	ap2004
2004	34,462	217,000	15.9%	2	18	20	1,723	1	26	35	14	ap2005
2006	37,153	225,000	16.5%	2	20	22	1,688	1	25	40	16	ap2007

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops

• Francis John Doyle, M.S.C. † (Prefect: 18 May 1951; Vicar Apostolic: 11 Nov 1956; Bishop: 15 Nov 1966 to 7 Mar 1970)
• Desmond Charles Moore, M.S.C. (Bishop: 7 Mar 1970 to 25 Jun 2001)
• Francesco Panfilo, S.D.B. (Bishop: 25 Jun 2001 - )