A Mass celebrated by Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi of the Diocese of Tonga and Niue gave a spiritual introduction to a festive day April 28 at St. Ann Church and School in Kaneohe in support of the future of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Nearly 600 guests and volunteers […]
Cardinal Mafi thanks God, early missionaries for foundation of faith
By Patrick Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Pondering and praying on the beach before dawn July 2 on tiny Tongan island of Pangaimotu, Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi thought of the courageous souls that had gone before him. As he watched, boats began to arrive with people coming for the Mass he was there to celebrate […]
Damien, Marianne conference to feature author of ‘Dead Man Walking’
Sister of St. Joseph Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking,” and Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, Tonga’s first cardinal, will be among the speakers at the inaugural Damien and Marianne Catholic Conference Oct. 20-22 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The conference, described by organizers as “an exciting convergence of education and entertainment,” will include […]
Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi
When Pope Francis named Bishop Soane Patita Paini Mafi a cardinal a year ago, the Tongan church leader didn’t see it coming. “There was no warning at all,” he said.
Hawaii welcomes Tonga’s first, church’s youngest cardinal
Hawaii welcomed the world’s youngest cardinal and the first from the small South Pacific nation of Tonga, selected by Pope Francis in one of his nods to the church’s “peripheries,” at a Mass of thanksgiving Jan. 16 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu.