Tongan Cardinal visited Melbourne Eparchy
On Monday, 1 September, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Bishop of Tonga, visited Melbourne Eparchy. Accompanying him were representatives of Caritas Tonga, including the organisation’s director, Ms Suliana Falemaka.
Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, welcomed the guests in Melbourne. During the visit, they toured the Cathedral of the Sts Peter and Paul, and also visited the Eparchial Museum. In a relaxed and warm atmosphere, the bishops shared their experiences of pastoral ministry and spoke about their dioceses and the people they serve.
The cardinals also recalled this year’s Conclave, in which both participated for the first time, and shared their impressions of the historic event.
Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi has served as bishop of the Diocese of Tonga since 2008. In 2015, Pope Francis elevated him to the dignity of cardinal. He is the first and currently the only cardinal from the Kingdom of Tonga — an island nation in Oceania, located in the southern Pacific Ocean.
Notably, following the 2015 consistory, Cardinal Mafi became the youngest member of the College of Cardinals at that time. Today, the youngest member of the College is Cardinal Mykola Bychok, created cardinal in 2024.
catholicukes.au
