Pope Francis announced the appointment of Father Mosese Tui SDB as the new Archbishop of Samoa-Apia.   

Archbishop-Elect Mosese replaces Bishop Alapati Lui Mata’eliga who died in Auckland on 25 April 2023.

Arriving in Auckland in March 2018, Fr Mosese, a Salesian priest, was appointed as Parish Priest of St Paul’s Parish, Massey. He has been a popular parish priest who with the spirit of Don Bosco is much loved by the people of the parish.

In the Diocese he has served on the Council of Priests, and he has been a popular priest among the local clergy.

The Bishop of Auckland Fr Steve Lowe said in a social media post that while it was a sad day for the people of St Paul’s Parish and for the Diocese of Auckland, he was delighted with the Holy Father’s appointment for him as the new Archbishop of Samoa-Apia.

“Fr Mosese will bring the joy of the Gospel to his new diocese as well as his gift of unifying people in their love and service of our God,” he said.

“Can I ask everyone in the Diocese of Auckland to pray for Archbishop-Elect Mosese as he prepares for his departure for Samoa and his episcopal ordination.

“In the meantime, we look forward to welcoming back to Auckland our retiring New Zealand bishops for the Pacific, Bishop Peter Brown, previously Bishop of Samoa-Pago Pago and currently Apostolic Administrator of Samoa-Apia, and Bishop Paul Donoghue, Bishop of Rarotonga.”