By Our Own Correspondent

Vatican, 20 January 2017 -- The Holy Father Francis appointed Bishop of Kerema Diocese (Papua New Guinea) Fr. Peter Baquero Junior, SDB, the first Superior of the Vice Province PGS (Papua New Guinea – Solomon Islands).

Fr. Peter Baquero was born in Manila (Philippines) on September 15, 1970 and made perpetual profession in 1998 and was ordained in 1999 in Parañaque. From the period of his practical training in PNG he followed the missionary vocation ad gentes. After his ordination spent most of the time in the front-line mission in the Gulf Province of PNG – Kerema diocese (Araimiri and Lariau – 10 years), in the capital of Port Moresby (Gabutu Don Bosco Technical School), from 2014 to 2016 as the Superior Delegate (PNG-SI) and since July 9, 2016 as the first Superior of the newly established Vice-province of PNG – Solomon Islands (PGS) of Blessed Philip Rinaldi.

Catholic Diocese of Kerema is located in the Gulf Province, near to the capital city of Port Moresby and was established in 1971. Comprises the territory of 34.000 square kilometer, total population of 128.300, with 25.200 Catholics (20%), 10 parishes, 5 diocesan priests with 7 religious priests (including our SDB community in Araimiri) and 14 religious sisters.

Bishop elect Peter Baquero will succeed Bishop Virgil Patrick Copas, MSC (1976-1988), Paul John Marx, MSC (1988-2010) and Patrick Taval, MSC (2010-April 9, 2013. For last three years Kerema diocese was vacant. The first mission entrusted to the SDB in PNG (1980) was in Kerema diocese with the Araimiri MHC Parish and Don Bosco Technical School.

At present there are already two other SDB bishops in the PGS vice-province countries – Mons. Francesco Panfilo (Archbishop of Rabaul, PNG) and Mons. Luciano Capelli (Bishop of Gizo, Solomon Islands).

We send our congratulations, prayers and support to Bishop elect Peter Baquero and accompany him in this new stage of his Salesian life!

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