Roman Catholic Diocese of Mendi

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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mendi is a suffragan diocese of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mount Hagen. It was erected Prefecture Apostolic in 1958 and elevated Vicariate Apostolic in 1965. It was elevated , along with other Oceanic vicariates and prefectures, to a diocese on 15 November 1966.

[edit] The First Missionaries

The first missionaries, Fr. Alexis Michellod MSC and his stalwart companion Br. Jean Delabarre MSC, arrived in Mendi on September 9, 1954 and celebrated the first Mass in the province the next day. Fr. Alexis, a gregarious and friendly man of many talents and deep faith, was so moved by the Gospel reading of the Mass of the day, that he never grew tired of repeating it: "At that time Jesus said to his disciples, 'Fear not little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32). " This quotation proved to be prophetic for it continues to describe the joy, faith and great enthusiasm with which the people of the Southern Highlands have accepted the Good News of Jesus Christ into their lives. Fr. Alexis will be forever known as the" Apostle to the Southern Highlands". Quote from "A Short History of the Mendi Mission"

[edit] Bishops

• Firmin Martin Schmidt, O.F.M. Cap. (1959–1995)
• Stephen Joseph Reichert, O.F.M. Cap. (1995– )

[edit] External links and References

• Diocese of Mendi. Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
• A Short History of the Mendi Mission. Catholic Diocese of Mendi. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.