Archdiocese of Rabaul

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of New Britain
  • Erected: 10 May 1889
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Papua New Guinea

• Vicariate Apostolic of Rabaul
  • Latin Name: Rabaulensis
  • United: 14 November 1922
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Papua New Guinea

Past and Present Ordinaries

• Gerard Vesters, M.S.C. † (14 Nov 1926 Appointed - 1939 Resigned)
• Leo Isidore Scharmach, M.S.C. † (13 Jun 1939 Appointed - 6 Aug 1962 Resigned)
• Johannes Höhne, M.S.C. † (1 Mar 1963 Appointed - 27 May 1978 Died)
• Albert-Leo Bundervoet, M.S.C. † (6 Mar 1980 Appointed - 16 Aug 1989 Died)
• Karl Hesse, M.S.C. (7 Jul 1990 Appointed - 11 Aug 2011 Retired)
• Francesco Panfilo, S.D.B. (11 Aug 2011 Succeeded - 19 Jun 2020 Retired)
• Rochus Josef Tatamai, M.S.C. (19 Jun 2020 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Archdiocese of Rabaul
1970	100,638	150,000	67.1%	3	58	61	1,649		111	227	45	ap1971
1980	140,300	205,000	68.4%	4	48	52	2,698		92	226	46	ap1981
1990	164,000	269,000	61.0%	14	50	64	2,562		78	216	75	ap1991
1999	221,300	404,300	54.7%	25	42	67	3,302		69	142	44	ap2000
2000	224,840	411,790	54.6%	31	38	69	3,258		89	131	44	ap2001
2001	227,250	418,500	54.3%	29	37	66	3,443		88	122	44	ap2002
2002	233,450	419,450	55.7%	30	36	66	3,537		82	141	44	ap2003
2003	110,000	180,000	61.1%	18	9	27	4,074		38	19	18	ap2004
2004	131,500	235,600	55.8%	22	27	49	2,683		95	135	29	ap2005
2010	149,870	285,540	52.5%	36	24	60	2,497		51	135	33	ap2011
2014	159,480	308,600	51.7%	47	19	66	2,416		48	117	35	ap2015
2017	155,407	354,004	43.9%	47	20	67	2,319		38	128	38	ap2018

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

Affiliated Bishops, Living

• John Bosco Auram
• Karl Hesse, M.S.C. (Auxiliary Bishop: 27 Apr 1978 to 24 Oct 1980; Archbishop: 7 Jul 1990 to 11 Aug 2011)
• Francis Meli (Priest: 24 Nov 1991 to 5 Feb 2018)
• Francesco Panfilo, S.D.B. (Coadjutor Archbishop: 18 Mar 2010; Archbishop: 11 Aug 2011 to 19 Jun 2020)
• Rochus Josef Tatamai, M.S.C. (Archbishop: 19 Jun 2020 - )

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Albert-Leo Bundervoet, M.S.C. † (Archbishop: 6 Mar 1980 to 16 Aug 1989)
• Alphonse Liguori Chaupa † (Priest: 10 Jan 1987; Auxiliary Bishop: 24 Jun 2000 to 4 Jul 2003)
• John Doaninoel, S.M. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 6 Dec 2007 to 9 Jun 2011)
• Johannes Höhne, M.S.C. † (Vicar Apostolic: 1 Mar 1963; Archbishop: 15 Nov 1966 to 27 May 1978)
• Leo Isidore Scharmach, M.S.C. † (Vicar Apostolic: 13 Jun 1939 to 6 Aug 1962)
• Patrick Taval, M.S.C. † (Auxiliary Bishop: 22 Jun 1999 to 6 Dec 2007)
• George To Bata † (Priest: 15 Nov 1953; Auxiliary Bishop: 27 Apr 1978 to 7 Mar 1995)
• Herman To Paivu † (Priest: 15 Nov 1953 to 1 Jul 1974)
• Benedict To Varpin † (Priest: 24 Jan 1971 to 30 Oct 1979)
• Gerard Vesters, M.S.C. † (Vicar Apostolic: 14 Nov 1926 to 1939)