On Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm, there was a prayer vigil at the Cathedral to prepare spiritually for the ordination. The vigil began with Vespers conducted by the parish of the Cathedral. Adoration followed until midnight.
In the year and a half since Jean Pierre Cottanceau sscc had become Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Papeete (Tahiti - French Polynesia) we could have begun to despair of ever seeing a bishop named. Indeed, there had been no bishop at the head of the archdiocese for nearly 6 years, and three apostolic administrators have succeeded one another throughout this time! But it is a done deal since the morning of Saturday February 18, 2017. Beginning at 8:30 am, more than 1000 choristers from the various parishes of the Archdiocese animated the ordination Mass. To these choristers we must add more than 1500 participants. The church of Maria No Te Nau near the archbishopric was not large enough and it was extended by two marquee. The seven concelebrating bishops were welcomed from the podium at the center of the assembly. There were the consecrating bishops:
Most Reverend Michel CALVET Archbishop of Noumea who was assisted by Most Reverend Hubert COPPENRATH, Archbishop Emeritus of Papeete, and Most Reverend Pascal CHANG SOI sscc, Bishop of Taiohae, in the presence of
Most Reverend Martin KREBS, Apostolic Delegate
Most Reverend Francis BESTION, Bishop of Tulle, native diocese of Jean Pierre.
Most Reverend Paul DONGHUE, President of the Conference of Pacific Bishops (CEPAC)
Most Reverend Jean-Marie Mgr LEVERT, Bishop Emeritus of Quimper.
At 8:30 am, Jean-Pierre Cottanceau publicly read the Faith Profession of the Church in the chapel of the Chinese Catholic community, near the place of ordination. Then he moved forward in procession-in the rain- with all the deacons, priests and bishops, to Maria No Te Nau. At 9:00 the ordination ceremony began with the song "Beyond every border, the Gospel crossed our paths." The ordination Mass was fervent and emotional. Fathers Joël Aumeran, Vicar General and Léon Lemouzy sscc (Superior Regional ss.cc.) presented Jean-Pierre to Bishop CALVET to be ordained. After the ritual of ordination, Jean-Pierre, the new Archbishop of Papeete, from the Offertory on, took the presidency of the Eucharist
President Edward Fritch, government officials, High Commissioner René Bidal, and French Overseas Minister Ericka Bareigts were also present for this exceptional event. "It was a moment of joy," confided the Minister happily at the end of the ceremony.
The religious family of the Sacred Hearts, present in Polynesia since 1834, was well represented. Fathers Christian Flottes and Christian Malrieu, Provincial, came from Paris. Even Fathers Maurice Boscher and Paul Daydou, who had health problems, were present at the ceremony. After the words of thanks of Jean-Pierre we were invited to a cocktail at the nearby Catholic school, again under a tropical rain! The day ended with a return to the Maria No Te Hau church for the traditional gift giving to the new bishop. On Sunday February 19, Archbishop Jean-Pierre COTTANCEAU took possession of the cathedral of Papeete. He will now be able to use his full powers not only to administer the archdiocese but above all to live out his motto among the Polynesian people: Announce the Word of God to the distant islands (Jer 31,10)
Video of the celebration
More pictures in Facebook SSCC PICPUS
Clic here
02/19/2017