The Catholic Church ordained eight new deacons on Saturday at the Spiritual Center in Logo-i-Pulotu, Savai'i who would now go out into the community to spread the gospel.

The Archdiocese of Samoa Apia's Chancellor, Father Eteuati Eteuati told the Samoa Observer in an interview on Sunday that the ordaining of the new deacons would now enable them to go out to spread the Gospel. 

"Yesterday (Saturday) we had done the sacrament of ordaining new permanent deacons to go out to their respective ministry and preach the word of the Lord. With this deacon position they will be able to help out during the Mass ceremony," he said.

The eight who were ordained have all worked as Catholic church reverends in different villages and have now moved up to the next level of their calling which is to become permanent deacons.

Father Eteuati said it took some of the deacons four years to go through this process before getting elevated to the next stage of their calling.

"They had four years to earn this and they have successfully done it, some of them were reverends, and have moved up to the deacon role," he added.

"Eight have graduated yesterday (Saturday) and the whole Catholic community in Savai'i were all here to witness it, along with all the Deputy Archbishops in both Upolu and Savai'i."

The Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga was also present and led the mass with the help of the Deputy Archbishops from both Upolu and Savai'i according to Father Eteuati.

He said permanent deacons can be ordained in the Catholic Church and have no intentions of becoming a priest.

Families and friends of the graduates were all present at the ceremony and were filled with joy and happiness to see their loved ones graduate to the next level of their calling.