Bishop Jacob Aba has been ordained as the new shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Auki, Malaita Province pledging to bring the word of God to every corner of the diocese.
The ordination ceremony took place on Saturday 24 January 2026 at Fasitoro Cathedral in Auki and was attended by priests, religious sisters and brothers, church leaders, and hundreds of faithful from Malaita and neighbouring provinces.
Among the senior church leaders present were His Excellency Archbishop Maurizio Bravi, Apostolic Nuncio to the Solomon Islands; Bishop Rozario Menezes of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference; the Nuncio’s Secretary Fr Lawrence Arockiaraj; Bishop Peter Houhou; Bishop Emeritus Luciano Capelli of the Diocese of Gizo and Arch Biship Chris Cardon.
Government representatives included; Minister for Public Service Francis Sade, Minister for Forestry Makario Tagani, and Malaita Province Premier Elijah Asilaua.
In his first address as bishop, Bishop Aba said, his mission is to reach every part of the diocese, “from the mountains to the artificial islands,” so that the faith of the people may become “an unshakeable rock.”
He expressed gratitude to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for entrusting him with the responsibility, describing himself as a simple man committed to serving with humility under the guidance of Mary.
Bishop Aba also thanked his family and elders for offering him to the Church and for raising him “a man of the mountain and the sea.”
He reflected that while he once lived close to land and ocean, the Lord has now called him to be “a fisher of men.”
He acknowledged the Society of Mary for shaping him in his priestly life and praised his predecessor, Bishop Peter Houhou, along with the diocesan administrator, for maintaining the strength of the Church during the transition.
Reflecting on his years as a parish priest, Bishop Aba expressed gratitude to the communities that supported and shaped him, giving special recognition to the Holy Name of Mary, which he said has been central to his faith journey.
Bishop Jacob Aba now begins his pastoral leadership, promising to shepherd the faithful of the Auki Catholic Diocese with humility, service, and a commitment to deepening their faith.
By SOLOMON LOFANA
Solomon Star, Auki
