The Priests of the Diocese
The Diocese of Palmerston North is served by its own diocesan priests together with priests belonging to various Religious Orders: The Society of Mary (Marists), Rosminians (The Institute of Charity), The Heralds of Good News, and the Cistercian Monks of Kopua Abbey.
Alongside the usual variety of pastoral activities associated with parish life, our priests also serve as spiritual directors, school and college chaplains, chaplains to hospitals and prisons, university and other tertiary chaplains, and offer particular ministry to Catholic marae.
A special place within our Diocese is New Zealand’s only community of monks who reside at Southern Star Abbey in Central Hawke’s Bay. They belong to the Cistercian order and lead a semi-contemplative life.
View map of the Diocese for Church, School and Maori Eucharistic Community locations.
The priests of the Diocese are:
Emeritus Bishops:
Taranaki:
Father Freddie Barte: Waitara, Inglewood and Mokau
Father Simon Story, Father Tom Lawn, Father Vui Hoang: Catholic Parish of New Plymouth/Ngamotu
Father Adonis Rancho: Stratford, Kaponga, Eltham
Father Craig Butler: Hawera, Manaia
Whanganui / Waimarino:
Father Marcus Francis, Father Nathaniel Brazil, Father John Roberts: Catholic Parish of Whanganui, Hiruharama, Patea and Waverley
Father Peter Brockhill: Marton, Bulls, Hunterville
Father Bernie O’Donnell: Ohakune, Taihape, Waiouru
Manawatu / Tararua
Mons Brian Walsh, Mons David Bell: Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Father Manoj Matthew IC, Father Robin Kurian IC: St Marys Palmerston North, Feilding, Ashhurst
Various rostered priests: Dannevirke, Pahiatua, Woodville, Eketahuna
Father Joseph Grayland: Our Lady of Lourdes Palmerston North, Rongotea, Foxton, Shannon
Hawkes Bay:
Father Paul Kerridge: Central Hawke’s Bay
Father Vince Onesi, Father Brian Carmine, Deacon Tevita Faka’osi: Catholic Parish of Hastings/Heretaunga
Father Barry Scannell SM, Father Damian Caccioppoli SM, Father Percy Kimble SM, Father Michael Wooller SM: Catholic Parish of Napier/Ahuriri
Father Arthur Toothill SM, Father Michael O’Donnell SM, Father David Moore SM: Wairoa
Priests retired (or not in active pastoral ministry in the Diocese):
Father Michael Lloyd
Father Terry Carr
Father Wally Cooke
Father Harry Costello
Father John Dykes
Father Dom Heslin
Father Peter Fahy
Father Manus Lyons
Father Jock McLaughlan
Father Kevin Neal
Father Joe O’Sullivan
Father Tom Sherry
Father Fergus Reeves
Father Frank Twiss SM
Father Karaitiana Kingi SM
Father William Clancy
Father John Allardyce SM
Father Anthony Williams SM
Father Neal Wilson SM
Brother Joseph Lamb SM
Brother Stuart Cuttance SM
Brother Robert Johnsen SM
Brother Pius Keene SM
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