Pope Francis appointed Rev. Fr. Rozario Menezes SMM as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Lae.

On Wednesday October 10, 2018 Pope Francis appointed Fr. Rozario Menezes SMM as the third Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lae. His predecessor Most Rev. Christian Conrad Blouin, CMM, served the diocese from 15th January 2007.

Fr. Rozario Menezes SMM is an Indian Montfort Missionary who has been serving the Church in PNG since May 2000. He was born in 1969 in a small town called Virajpet in Coorg district in the South Indian state of Karnataka and belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Mysuru. He was ordained priest on 4th November 1999.

Since his arrival in Daru-Kiunga Diocese in the Western Province of PNG he has served the Catholic Church in different capacities. He was the parish priest of St. Brigid’s parish in Kiunga at the same time caretaker of St. Paul’s parish in Nomad. He also worked as a youth chaplain and project officer in Daru-Kiunga Diocese before going to Montreal Canada, for his studies in Formative psychology and counseling. He served in Daru-Kiunga Diocese for 8 years.

After returning from his studies, he took the challenge of starting the formation program for Montfort Missionaries in PNG, for which he had to move to Port Moresby Archdiocese and served as a parish priest of St. Martin De Porres Parish, Morata, bringing positive changes not only in the area but also in the lives of many people.
He was also involved in many other ministries and took up various responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Port Moresby as well as in the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of PNG and Solomon Islands.

In the Archdiocese Port Moresby he served as the member of the college of consulters and a member of priests senate. He was the Spiritual director for Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Spiritual Director for the Catholic Professionals Society, a member of the Health Board of the Archdiocese of Port Moresby and was appointed as Liaison Officer of Vocation.

Directors of different Religious Congregations in the Archdiocese of Port Moresby.

He served also as the Management associate and project officer for Catholic Bishop Conference of PNG/SI. He was also Formator of Vangeke Institute of ongoing formation for priests in PNG/SI.

Father Rozario is a well-known counselor and dedicated lot of his time giving different courses through out PNG and especially at Xavier Institute, helping the young religious of different Congregations.

Father Rozario was the Delegation Superior of the Montfort Missionaries in PNG for three terms. He served as the President of Federation of Religious of PNG/SI. He is also well known for his preaching of retreats, homilies and inspirational talks.

From May 2017, Fr. Rozario was serving as the Assistant General of the Society of Montfort Missionaries and is residing at the Montfort Generalate in Rome.