Bishop: People more faithful to the Church than ever before

The Diocese of Chalan Kanoa turned 30 years old nearly two weeks ago, Nov. 8, 2014. Pope Francis sent all the CNMI parishes plaques of recognition imparting his apostolic blessing to the pastor and priests, parish staff and entire parish community of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral.

“I invoke on all God’s help and celestial comfort wishing that this blessing might be a stimulus and encouragement for continual growth in fidelity to the Lord and a reinforcement of the commitment to the building upon the living Temple founded on Christ,” the Pope wrote. 

Fr. Ryan Jimenez, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, told Saipan Tribune that the diocese has established a total of 13 parishes on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota since its formation in December 1984. 

“Anniversary celebration is always a time for thanksgiving. I thank God for the many blessings He has bestowed on our diocese for the past 30 years,” he said. “I thank Bishop Camacho as our first bishop of the diocese. I am hoping and praying that soon we will have our new bishop. It has been very challenging without a bishop for the past four years.”

Jimenez hopes that people from all walks of life feel welcome in the Church. “Our community here in the CNMI is so diverse. Our parishioners come from various ethnic backgrounds. May we truly make everyone feel welcome in our churches.”

Bishop emeritus Tomas Aguon Camacho was appointed as the first bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa by Pope John Paul II in 1984.

Camacho said that today’s churchgoers know their faith and the Church better than ever before.

“Before, people just had faith and tradition. Now, more and more people truly know the Catholic Church and what it is all about. I am very proud of that,” he said.

As the Church marks its 30th anniversary, Camacho urges young males in the community to consider the priesthood as a vocation.

“We need more men to continue the work of Christ here in the CNMI,” he added. 

Through the growth of the people’s faith, Mt. Carmel Church was upgraded to Mount Carmel Cathedral on Nov. 8, 1984, simultaneously establishing the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, separate from that of Guam.

The Church continues to stand as a living monument representing the work, dedication, and tireless efforts of the Chamorro and Carolinian people, who labored to construct it while rebuilding their lives not long after World War II.