Peter Brown (bishop)

Peter Brown was born on November 11, 1947, in Greymouth, New Zealand, the youngest child of William and Mary (Sweeney) Brown.[1] He attended Marist Brothers primary and secondary schools, then worked in secular jobs. On February 16, 1969, Brown professed his first vows as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. After several years in seminary, he professed his perpetual vows to the Redemptorists on October 26, 1975.[2] [3]

For seven years Brown worked as a religious brother in different communities, then traveled to Samoa to help out at the Redemptorist mission there. He then studied for the priesthood at Yarra Theological Union in Melbourne, Australia.[3]

Brown was ordained to the priesthood for the Redemptorists by Bishop Brian Ashby on December 19, 1981. [2] He served as a missionary on Savaii Island, Safotu, then later as a chaplain for migrants in Auckland, New Zealand. Brown served as a parish priest in Clover Park, South Auckland, before being elected as the Redemptorist's regional superior.[1][4] Brown is fluent in the Samoan language.[4]

Pope Francis named Brown the bishop of the Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago on May 31, 2013.[2] On August 22, 2013, Brown was installed and consecrated by Archbishop Martin Krebs The principal co-consecrators were Bishops John Weitzel and Denis Browne.[2][3] On April 29, 2023, Pope Francis accepted his resignation and Kolio Etuale succeeded him as bishop.[5]