In a significant and deeply moving ceremony, the Catholic Diocese of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, and guests witnessed an historic event – the Episcopal Ordination of their new coadjutor bishop, Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado, M.S.P., Bishop-elect.

The ordination ceremony at St Joseph’s Cathedral on Saturday carried immense spiritual significance, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Catholic Diocese.

The presence of an Archbishop, five bishops, 11 priests, and the representative of the Holy Father Pope Francis, Father Giosuè Busti, who is also the First Secretary-Deputy Head of Mission at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Wellington, filled the congregation with awe and spiritual emotion.

Cook Islands Bishop-elect Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado m.s.p. concludes mass after his ordination. MELINA ETCHES/24042721

Bishop-elect Reynaldo extended his gratitude to the superiors and bishops, as well as the priests.

Sister Elizabeth Browne-Russell, who attended the ceremony, said: “It was extraordinary.”

“This particular ordination was in a way unique and extraordinarily well organised … the people just came together.”

Catholics from Fiji, Kiribati, and the Philippines who are living on the island for work purposes also came together to celebrate the ordination.

Sister Elizabeth added: “We are a universal church, so the fact that they are here and very much become a part of the celebrations really does show the universality of the catholic church.”

Representative of Pope Francis, Father Giosuè Busti, who is also the First Secretary-Deputy Head of Mission at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Wellington (right), during the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado. MELINA ETCHES/24042714

Hymns were passionately sung in Cook Islands Māori, English, Fijian (iTaukei), and Filipino languages.

Catholics from the Pa Enua including from the northern group island of Manihiki also joined in the ordination.

Tapuni William, a catechist from Atiu, said: “I am proud to be here for this ordination, a group of us have come over to witness this occasion.”

Representative of Pope Francis, Father Giosuè Busti, who is also the First Secretary-Deputy Head of Mission at the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See in Wellington (right), during the Episcopal Ordination of Fr. Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado. MELINA ETCHES/24042714

The current bishop of the Cook Islands, Bishop Paul Donoghue was the principal consecrator. He was assisted by Bishop Ryan Jimenez, president of CEPAC (Conferentia Episcopalis Pacifici), Bishop of Chalan Kanoa, Saipan; and Archbishop Jean-Pierre Cottanceau ss.cc, Archbishop of Papeete, French Polynesia.

The co-concelebrating bishops were Bishop Peter Brown, Bishop of Samoa, Apostolic Administrator; and Bishop Paschal Chang Soi ss. cc, Diocese of Taiohae o Tefenuanata, Tahiti.