Soane Patita Paini Mafi
Stored: Soane Patita Paini Mafi
| His Eminence Soane Patita Paini Mafi | |
| Bishop of Diocese of Tonga | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Tonga |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 29 June 1991 by Bishop Patelisio Punou-Ki-Hihifo Finau |
| Consecration: | 4 October 2007 by Bishop Soane Lilo Foliaki |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 14 February 2015 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Soane Patita Paini Mafi 19 December 1961 Nuku’alofa, Tonga |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Tongan |
| Education: | Pacific Regional Seminary, Loyola University Maryland |
| Motto: | "Ke Loloto e Tui" (Deepen the Faith) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | Oceania |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi, born December 19, 1961, is a Tongan prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Bishop of Tonga since 2008 and as the first cardinal from Tonga, elevated by Pope Francis in 2015. As the youngest cardinal at age 53 upon his elevation, Mafi has advocated against climate change’s impact on low-lying islands and the erosion of traditional Tongan culture due to globalization. His leadership of a diocese of approximately 15,000 Catholics, his presidency of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (2010–2016), and his roles in Vatican congregations reflect his commitment to faith, hope, and mercy, encapsulated in his motto “Ke Loloto e Tui” (Deepen the Faith). At 63, Mafi is one of four Oceanian cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7.
Ordained a priest in 1991, Mafi served as vicar general and seminary formator before becoming coadjutor bishop in 2007 and Bishop of Tonga in 2008, the first diocesan priest in this role. His engagement with youth, as seen in his 2023 World Youth Day involvement and 2017 Saipan visit, underscores his pastoral approach, while his 2018 support for transgender activist Joey Mataele sparked debate. In 2025, Mafi participates in the conclave as part of a group of 135 electors from 71 countries.
Biography
Birth and early life
Soane Patita Paini Mafi was born on December 19, 1961, in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, to a Catholic family of catechists, with his father and grandfather serving in this role. Raised in a traditional fale house in Kolofo’ou, near the capital, his early life was steeped in Tongan culture and faith, living next to the presbytery and serving as an altar boy. His mother, a Protestant convert to Catholicism, and his father’s death in 1991 shaped his vocation.
Educated at Catholic schools, including Apifo’ou College, Mafi joined a parish youth group and discerned a priestly calling early, despite post-high school uncertainties. His upbringing in a small community fostered his emphasis on communal living and cultural preservation.
Education
Mafi studied philosophy and theology at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Suva, Fiji, earning a degree in divinity. He spent a year at St. Patrick’s College in Wellington, New Zealand, to improve his English, and later pursued religious education at Loyola University Maryland, graduating in 2000 with a degree in pastoral counseling.
His education blended Pacific and Western perspectives, with fieldwork in Fiji’s plantations and pastoral assignments in Tonga. Fluent in Tongan, English, and with some Fijian, Mafi’s studies emphasized catechesis and community engagement, preparing him for leadership in Tonga’s Catholic community.
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on June 29, 1991, by Bishop Patelisio Punou-Ki-Hihifo Finau for the Diocese of Tonga, Mafi served as a parish priest in Ha’apai (1992–1994) and Nuku’alofa (1995–1997), also acting as vicar general from 1995. He was a parish priest in Houma (1999–2000) and a professor and vice-rector at the Pacific Regional Seminary (2000–2007).
His priesthood focused on youth ministry and clergy formation, addressing Tonga’s challenges of globalization and materialism. His humility and rapid rise to vicar general at 34 underscored his pastoral and administrative skills.
Bishop
Appointed coadjutor bishop of Tonga on June 28, 2007, by Pope Benedict XVI, Mafi was consecrated on October 4, 2007, by Bishop Soane Lilo Foliaki. He succeeded Foliaki as Bishop of Tonga on April 18, 2008, becoming the first diocesan priest in this role. Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on February 14, 2015, he received the titular church of Santa Paola Romana.
As bishop, Mafi has led a diocese of ~15,000 Catholics, serving as president of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific (2010–2016) and advocating for climate action and cultural preservation. In 2025, he participates in the May 7 conclave.
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Tonga | Coadjutor Bishop | 28 June 2007 | 18 April 2008 | Prepared for diocesan leadership |
| Diocese of Tonga | Bishop | 18 April 2008 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2015, first Tongan cardinal |
Significant events
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Tonga in 1991.
- Appointed vicar general of Tonga, 1995.
- Appointed coadjutor bishop of Tonga in 2007.
- Became Bishop of Tonga in 2008.
- Elected president of the Episcopal Conference of the Pacific, 2010–2016.
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015, youngest at 53.
- Participated in the 2014 Synod on the Family.
- Awarded Knight Grand Cross, Order of Queen Salote Tupou III, 2015.
- Supported transgender activist Joey Mataele, 2018.
- Led Tongan youth at World Youth Day, Lisbon, 2023.
- Participated in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7.
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Mafi were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Mafi were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Diocese of Tonga, but no published books are documented.
External links
- Soane Patita Paini Mafi
- Biography of Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi
- Vatican Biography of Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi