Roman Catholic Diocese of Alotau-Sideia explained

Jurisdiction:	Diocese
Alotau-Sideia
Latin:	Dioecesis Alotauna-Sideiana
Country:	Papua New Guinea
Metropolitan:	Archdiocese of Port Moresby
Area Km2:	20,000
Population:	294,919
Population As Of:	2015
Catholics:	57,327
Catholics Percent:	19.4
Parishes:	16
Denomination:	Roman Catholic
Sui Iuris Church:	Latin Church
Rite:	Roman Rite
Established:	28 April 1975
Cathedral:	Sacred Heart of Jesus, Alotau, Milne Bay Province
Patron:	Sacred Heart of Jesus
Priests:	25
Bishop:	Rolando Crisostomo Santos, C.M., Bishop of Alotau-Sideia
Suffragan:	for one-->
Vicar General:	Augustine Ha Vu, CM
Archdeacon:	for one-->
Website:	http://catholicdiocesealotau.com/

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Alotau-Sideia is a Latin suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port Moresby, yet remains dependent on the Roman Congregation for the Missions Propaganda Fide.

History

It was erected as the Prefecture Apostolic of Samarai on 13 June 1946, on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of Papua.
Promoted on 11 November 1956 as Vicariate Apostolic of Samarai, hence entitled to a titular bishop.
Promoted on 15 November 1966 as Diocese of Sideia, ceasing to be an exempt pre-diocesan mission.
Its name was changed to the Diocese of Alotau-Sideia on 28 April 1975 (after the provincial capital transfer to Alotau).

(all Roman Rite, so far missionary members of Latin congregations)

Apostolic Administrator André Sorin, Sacred Heart Missionaries (M.S.C.) (1946.06.13 – 1951.05.18), Titular Bishop of Antiphræ (1946.06.13 – 1959.04.19), while Apostolic Vicar of Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) (1946.06.13 – 1959.04.19)
Francis John Doyle, M.S.C. (1951.05.18 – 1956.11.11 see below)

Francis John Doyle, M.S.C. (see above 1956.11.11 – 1966.11.15 see below), Titular Bishop of Onuphis (1956.11.11 – 1966.11.15)

Francis John Doyle, M.S.C. (6.11.15 – 1970.03.07); emeritate as Titular Bishop of Árd Carna (1970.03.07 – 1973.11.04)
Desmond Charles Moore, M.S.C. (1970.03.07 – 1975.04.28 see below)

Desmond Charles Moore, M.S.C. (see above 1975.04.28 – retired 2001.06.25)
Francesco Panfilo, Salesians (S.D.B.) (2001.06.25 – 2010.03.18), also President of Bishops’ Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (2008.04 – 2011.05); later Coadjutor Archbishop of Rabaul (Papua New Guinea) (2010.03.18 – 2011.08.11) succeeding as Metropolitan Archbishop of Rabaul 2011.08.11 – ...)
Roland Santos, Lazarists (C.M.) (2011.04.06 – ...)