The Most Rev. Bishop John Quinn Weitzel (middle) surrounded by members of the local Catholic church following a special Mass held at 6a.m. at Fatuoaiga, before he departed the territory last night to visit his family in the U.S.  Bishop Quinn presided over his final Mass in the territory.

Families, friends, church members, and others attended yesterday’s final mass to bid farewell to Bishop Quinn who retired two months ago after serving more than two decades as the leader of the Catholic Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago.

As part of the service, the Fono presented the outgoing Bishop with a Concurrent Resolution commending him for his service to the church, the youth and the people of American Samoa.