Diocese of Rarotonga

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Bishop(s) Stuart France O'Connell, S. M., Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Elevated: 21 June 1966 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Suva Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Cook Islands Region: Pacific (Oceania) Square Kilometers: 234 (90 Square Miles) Web Site: http://www.relpac.org.fj/rarotonga.htm Mailing Address: P.O. Box 147, Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands Telephone: 20.817 Fax: 29.817

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Cook e Mnihiki
  • Erected: 27 November 1922
  • Country: Cook Islands
  • Region: Pacific (Oceania)

• Prefecture Apostolic of Cook Islands
  • Latin Name: Insularum de Cook
  • Name Changed: 11 August 1926
  • Country: Cook Islands
  • Region: Pacific (Oceania)

• Vicariate Apostolic of Cook Islands
  • Latin Name: Insularum de Cook
  • Elevated: 12 February 1948
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Cook Islands
  • Region: Pacific (Oceania)

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Bernardin Castanié, C.I.M. † (1 Feb 1923 Appointed - 1939 Died)
• John David Hubaldus Lehman, C.I.M. † (30 Jun 1939 Appointed - 1959 Resigned)
• Hendrick Joseph Cornelius Maria de Cocq, SS.CC. † (10 Feb 1964 Appointed - 28 Apr 1971 Resigned)
• John Hubert Macey Rodgers, S. M. † (1 Mar 1973 Appointed - 10 Jan 1997 Died)
• Denis George Browne (21 Mar 1977 Appointed - 6 Jun 1983 Appointed, Bishop of Auckland)
• Robin Walsh Leamy, S. M. (9 Jan 1984 Appointed - 8 Nov 1996 Resigned)
• Stuart France O'Connell, S. M. (8 Nov 1996 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Cook e Mnihiki
27 November 1922	Erected		Prefecture Apostolic of Cook e Mnihiki (erected)
Prefecture Apostolic of Cook Islands
11 August 1926	Name Changed	Prefecture Apostolic of Cook e Mnihiki	Prefecture Apostolic of Cook Islands
Vicariate Apostolic of Cook Islands
12 February 1948	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Cook Islands	Vicariate Apostolic of Cook Islands
Diocese of Rarotonga
21 June 1966	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Cook Islands	Diocese of Rarotonga

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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 Rarotonga
1969	2,260	19,247	11.7%	1	13	14	161		13	7	4	ap1971
1980	2,801	26,000	10.8%	4	10	14	200		13	14	12	ap1981
1990	2,710	19,650	13.8%	3	8	11	246		12	10	15	ap1991
1999	3,356	17,550	19.1%	3	4	7	479		9	6	15	ap2000
2000	3,360	17,500	19.2%	2	5	7	480		10	6	15	ap2001
2001	3,140	15,100	20.8%	1	6	7	448		11	6	15	ap2002
2002	2,396	14,900	16.1%	1	6	7	342		10	6	15	ap2003
2003	3,090	18,027	17.1%	1	6	7	441		9	4	15	ap2004
2004	2,519	14,990	16.8%		6	6	419		10	3	15	ap2005

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

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Affiliated Bishops

• Denis George Browne (Bishop: 21 Mar 1977 to 6 Jun 1983)
• Bernardin Castanié, C.I.M. † (Prefect: 1 Feb 1923 to 1939)
• Hendrick Joseph Cornelius Maria de Cocq, SS.CC. † (Vicar Apostolic: 10 Feb 1964; Bishop: 21 Jun 1966 to 28 Apr 1971)
• Robin Walsh Leamy, S. M. (Bishop: 9 Jan 1984 to 8 Nov 1996)
• John David Hubaldus Lehman, C.I.M. † (Prefect: 30 Jun 1939; Vicar Apostolic: 12 Feb 1948 to 1959)
• Stuart France O'Connell, S. M. (Bishop: 8 Nov 1996 - )
• John Hubert Macey Rodgers, S. M. † (Bishop: 1 Mar 1973 to 10 Jan 1997)