The Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago is hosting the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific, also known (CEPAC), from August 5th to August 11th.
CEPAC consists of 16 jurisdictions: 14 dioceses (five archdioceses) and the Prefecture
Apostolic of the Marshall Islands, along with Missio Sui Iuris of Funafuti and Tokelau.
Among the Catholic leaders confirmed to attend are the Apostolic Nuncio or representative of the Pope, Archbishop Gábor Pintér, the Cardinal of Tonga, the Archbishops of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, French Polynesia and New Caledonia and the Bishops of Vanuatu, Caroline Islands, Northern Marianas, Kiribati and Nauru and Diocese of de Taiohae ou Tefenuaenata and Prefecture Apostolic of the Marshall Islands.
Most Reverend Ryan P. Jimenez, Archbishop of Guam is the President of CEPAC and Most Rev. Jean-Pierre Cottanceau, DD of French Polynesia is the Vice President.
Most Reverend Kolio Tumanuvao Etuale, Bishop of American Samoa, currently serves as a member of the Permanent Council representing the Central Region of the Pacific.
Delegates start arriving this Sunday. A welcoming liturgical Mass will be held at the Holy Family Cathedral, Fatuoaiga on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 to officially open the week-long conference.
The meeting anticipates engagements and discussions on challenges and opportunities currently impacting the church and its communities within the Pacific region.
The assembly aims to promote Christ’s Way and Church Tradition across the Pacific’s multicultural landscape.
As the conference wraps up, the episcopal members will be assigned to various parishes within the diocese. They will preside over and preach during the Sunday morning Masses on August 10, 2025. The conference will officially conclude with a closing Mass at the Holy Family Cathedral on the same day.
