New bishop appointed in Vanuatu
25/11/2009
Vanuatu has a new bishop, it has been announced.
The Vatican has appointed Father John Bosco Baremes as the country's new Catholic leader and representative.
He originally hails from the Cataret Islands and has also occupied posts in Fiji and New Caledonia.
The 49-year-old priest will fill the vacant position at the Diocese of Port Vila, occupying the post following the death of the previous representative Bishop Michel Visi in May 2007.
Current Pope Benedict XVI made the decision earlier this week.
According to Giga-Catholic Information, 36.7 per cent of Vanuatu's religious populace is Presbyterian, 15 per cent is Anglican, 15 per cent is Roman Catholic and 7.6 per cent hold indigenous beliefs.
In other Vanuatu governance news, the country's prime minister last week expelled two coalition parties from the government, as he was not satisfied with the level of support they were putting forth. 
