Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath
Encyclopedia
Monsignor
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath (June 4, 1924 – August 16, 2008) was the Tahitian
Archbishop
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
in French Polynesia
for 26 years from 1973 until 1999. Coppenrath continued to serve as the Archbishop Emeritus
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
from his 1999 until his death in 2008. Coppenrath was the first Tahitian-born Catholic
bishop of French Polynesia.
, Tahiti
. but later moved to France
, where he served as a member of the French Resistance
against Nazi occupation during World War II
before joining the priesthood. Coppenrath was formally ordained as a Catholic priest in Poitiers, France, on June 29, 1954, when he was thirty years old. He further obtained both a degree in civil law
as well as a doctorate
in Canon law
.
in Papeete due to his doctorate in Canon law. However, he was soon appointed as a parish
priest
in Pirae
, a commune
located along the northern coast of Tahiti. Coppenrath worked with local youth movements, as well as the media
, while assigned to Pirae.
Coppenrath was elevated to vicar-general to Monsignor
Paul-Laurent-Jean-Louis Mazé
in 1966. He was next appointed as the Archbishop of the Titular See
Tigisi in Numidia (Algeria
) on February 16, 1968. He held that post until he was appointed the Archbishop of Papeete.
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath was formally appointed the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
on March 5, 1973. He would serve as Archbishop for the next 26 years. Coppenrath earned a reputation during his tenure as someone to turn to during French Polynesia's political and social crises. He was often consulted by French Polynesia's political and religious leaders. He retired as Archbishop in 1999. Pope John Paul II
and the Roman Catholic Church
appointed Coppenrath's brother, Hubert Coppenrath
, as his successor on June 4, 1999, which also marked the 75th birthday of Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath.
The appointment of Coppenrath's brother, a blood relative, as Archbishop is a rare occurrence within the Catholic Church. Coppenrath continued to serve as Archbishop Emeritus
of the Diocese of Papeete. He also served as a parish priest in the Commune of Punaauia
, which is located on the west coast of Tahiti.
on August 14, 2008, aged 84. His survivors included his brother, the current Archbishop of Papeete Hubert Coppenrath
, and two nieces, Béatrice Vernaudon
, the mayor of Pirae
and a former member of the French National Assembly
, and Armelle Merceron, who served as the French Polynesian solidarity minister
under President
Gaston Tong Sang
.
A public wake and funeral were held at the Maria No Te Hau Catholic Church in the Mission neighborhood of Papeete
. Several thousand people from throughout Tahiti
and Moorea
, including many prominent French Polynesian and French government officials, attended his funeral. The crowds were so large that a large television screen had to be set up outside of the church. All Catholic schools in Faa'a, Papeete
, Pirae
and Punaauia
were closed on August 18, 2008, the day of Coppenrath's funeral.
Coppenrath's brother and successor, Archbishop Hubert Coppenrath, thanked those in attendance saying, "On behalf of my brother.... I would like to thank everyone who sent their sympathy to Archbishop Michel Coppenrath." He also described his brother as "an evangelist
, a visionary
and a man attentive to the people."
French Polynesian President
Gaston Tong Sang
gave the eulogy
at Coppenrath's funeral. Tong Sang said of Coppenrath, "Michel Coppenrath, in the great evangelic tradition of your predecessors, you gave your life to the service of faith
, the Catholic Church and its faithful, with full respect of man and other beliefs. Your righteousness and your openness, your broad culture, your natural authority and your love of others were unanimously appreciated in our 'country’, but also among other churches in Oceania
."
Coppenrath's death earned messages of condolence from across French Polynesia. The Rev. Taaroanui Maraea, current president of the Maohi Protestant Church, praising Coppenrath as full of "compassion and his brotherly love" and saying that he "hasn't forgotten the ecumenical work he undertook, opening the possibilities of encounter and recognition between the two churches".
The recently appointed High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia, Adolphe Colrat
called Coppenrath "a great builder of the (Catholic) Church, particularly concerned with training (French) Polynesian priests. He leaves the lasting memory of a man profoundly good and warm whose great courtesy was only equaled by the firmness of his beliefs." Tributes were also extended by Oscar Temaru
, Bruno Sandras
, Gaston Flosse
and Jean-Christophe Bouissou
.
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath was interred at the Priests' Cemetery in Tahiti.
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath (June 4, 1924 – August 16, 2008) was the Tahitian
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete is a Metropolitan Archdiocese in French Polynesia. It is responsible for the suffragan diocese of Taiohae o Tefenuaenata.-Ordinaries:*Florentin-Étienne Jaussen *Marie-Joseph Verdier, SS.CC....
in French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
for 26 years from 1973 until 1999. Coppenrath continued to serve as the Archbishop Emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete is a Metropolitan Archdiocese in French Polynesia. It is responsible for the suffragan diocese of Taiohae o Tefenuaenata.-Ordinaries:*Florentin-Étienne Jaussen *Marie-Joseph Verdier, SS.CC....
from his 1999 until his death in 2008. Coppenrath was the first Tahitian-born Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
bishop of French Polynesia.
Early life
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath was born in PapeetePapeete
-Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront esplanade*Bougainville Park -Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront...
, Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
. but later moved to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he served as a member of the French Resistance
French Resistance
The French Resistance is the name used to denote the collection of French resistance movements that fought against the Nazi German occupation of France and against the collaborationist Vichy régime during World War II...
against Nazi occupation during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
before joining the priesthood. Coppenrath was formally ordained as a Catholic priest in Poitiers, France, on June 29, 1954, when he was thirty years old. He further obtained both a degree in civil law
Civil law (legal system)
Civil law is a legal system inspired by Roman law and whose primary feature is that laws are codified into collections, as compared to common law systems that gives great precedential weight to common law on the principle that it is unfair to treat similar facts differently on different...
as well as a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
.
Archbishop of Papeete
Coppenrath initially became a VicarVicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
in Papeete due to his doctorate in Canon law. However, he was soon appointed as a parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in Pirae
Pirae
Pirae is a commune in the suburbs of Papeete in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Pirae is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. It borders Papeete in the west and...
, a commune
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
located along the northern coast of Tahiti. Coppenrath worked with local youth movements, as well as the media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
, while assigned to Pirae.
Coppenrath was elevated to vicar-general to Monsignor
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
Paul-Laurent-Jean-Louis Mazé
Paul-Laurent-Jean-Louis Mazé
Paul-Laurent-Jean-Louis Mazé, SS.CC. was Archbishop, and later Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete, French Polynesia....
in 1966. He was next appointed as the Archbishop of the Titular See
Titular see
A titular see in various churches is an episcopal see of a former diocese that no longer functions, sometimes called a "dead diocese". The ordinary or hierarch of such a see may be styled a "titular bishop", "titular metropolitan", or "titular archbishop"....
Tigisi in Numidia (Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
) on February 16, 1968. He held that post until he was appointed the Archbishop of Papeete.
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath was formally appointed the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete is a Metropolitan Archdiocese in French Polynesia. It is responsible for the suffragan diocese of Taiohae o Tefenuaenata.-Ordinaries:*Florentin-Étienne Jaussen *Marie-Joseph Verdier, SS.CC....
on March 5, 1973. He would serve as Archbishop for the next 26 years. Coppenrath earned a reputation during his tenure as someone to turn to during French Polynesia's political and social crises. He was often consulted by French Polynesia's political and religious leaders. He retired as Archbishop in 1999. Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
and the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
appointed Coppenrath's brother, Hubert Coppenrath
Hubert Coppenrath
Archbishop Hubert Coppenrath is the emeritus Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete....
, as his successor on June 4, 1999, which also marked the 75th birthday of Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath.
The appointment of Coppenrath's brother, a blood relative, as Archbishop is a rare occurrence within the Catholic Church. Coppenrath continued to serve as Archbishop Emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
of the Diocese of Papeete. He also served as a parish priest in the Commune of Punaauia
Punaauia
Punaauia is a commune in the suburbs of Papeete in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Punaauia is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. In the late 1890s, the French...
, which is located on the west coast of Tahiti.
Death
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath died of a ruptured aneurysmAneurysm
An aneurysm or aneurism is a localized, blood-filled balloon-like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel. Aneurysms can commonly occur in arteries at the base of the brain and an aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the left ventricle of the heart...
on August 14, 2008, aged 84. His survivors included his brother, the current Archbishop of Papeete Hubert Coppenrath
Hubert Coppenrath
Archbishop Hubert Coppenrath is the emeritus Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Papeete....
, and two nieces, Béatrice Vernaudon
Béatrice Vernaudon
Béatrice Vernaudon is a French politician born on 27 October 1953 in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.She was elected a deputy to the National Assembly of France on 16 June 2002, becoming one of the Deputies of the 12th French National Assembly , in the second district of French Polynesia...
, the mayor of Pirae
Pirae
Pirae is a commune in the suburbs of Papeete in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Pirae is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. It borders Papeete in the west and...
and a former member of the French National Assembly
French National Assembly
The French National Assembly is the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of France under the Fifth Republic. The upper house is the Senate ....
, and Armelle Merceron, who served as the French Polynesian solidarity minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
under President
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
Gaston Tong Sang
Gaston Tong Sang
Gaston Tong Sang is the former President of French Polynesia. He served terms as President of French Polynesia from November 2009 until April 2011, from April 2008 until February 2009 and from December 2006 until September 2007.; he is currently the Mayor of Bora-Bora...
.
A public wake and funeral were held at the Maria No Te Hau Catholic Church in the Mission neighborhood of Papeete
Papeete
-Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront esplanade*Bougainville Park -Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront...
. Several thousand people from throughout Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
and Moorea
Moorea
Moʻorea is a high island in French Polynesia, part of the Society Islands, 17 km northwest of Tahiti. Its position is . Moʻorea means "yellow lizard" in Tahitian...
, including many prominent French Polynesian and French government officials, attended his funeral. The crowds were so large that a large television screen had to be set up outside of the church. All Catholic schools in Faa'a, Papeete
Papeete
-Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront esplanade*Bougainville Park -Sights:* Interactive Google map of Papeete, to discover the 30 major tourist attractions in Papeete downtown.*The waterfront...
, Pirae
Pirae
Pirae is a commune in the suburbs of Papeete in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Pirae is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. It borders Papeete in the west and...
and Punaauia
Punaauia
Punaauia is a commune in the suburbs of Papeete in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Punaauia is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. In the late 1890s, the French...
were closed on August 18, 2008, the day of Coppenrath's funeral.
Coppenrath's brother and successor, Archbishop Hubert Coppenrath, thanked those in attendance saying, "On behalf of my brother.... I would like to thank everyone who sent their sympathy to Archbishop Michel Coppenrath." He also described his brother as "an evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
, a visionary
Visionary
Defined broadly, a visionary, is one who can envision the future. For some groups this can involve the supernatural or drugs.The visionary state is achieved via meditation, drugs, lucid dreams, daydreams, or art. One example is Hildegard of Bingen, a 12th century artist/visionary and Catholic saint...
and a man attentive to the people."
French Polynesian President
President of French Polynesia
This is the list of Presidents of French Polynesia.-See also:*List of monarchs of Tahiti*Colonial and Departmental Heads of French Polynesia-External links:*...
Gaston Tong Sang
Gaston Tong Sang
Gaston Tong Sang is the former President of French Polynesia. He served terms as President of French Polynesia from November 2009 until April 2011, from April 2008 until February 2009 and from December 2006 until September 2007.; he is currently the Mayor of Bora-Bora...
gave the eulogy
Eulogy
A eulogy is a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially one recently deceased or retired. Eulogies may be given as part of funeral services. However, some denominations either discourage or do not permit eulogies at services to maintain respect for traditions...
at Coppenrath's funeral. Tong Sang said of Coppenrath, "Michel Coppenrath, in the great evangelic tradition of your predecessors, you gave your life to the service of faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
, the Catholic Church and its faithful, with full respect of man and other beliefs. Your righteousness and your openness, your broad culture, your natural authority and your love of others were unanimously appreciated in our 'country’, but also among other churches in Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
."
Coppenrath's death earned messages of condolence from across French Polynesia. The Rev. Taaroanui Maraea, current president of the Maohi Protestant Church, praising Coppenrath as full of "compassion and his brotherly love" and saying that he "hasn't forgotten the ecumenical work he undertook, opening the possibilities of encounter and recognition between the two churches".
The recently appointed High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia, Adolphe Colrat
Adolphe Colrat
Adolphe Colrat is a French civil servant and the current French High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia since 2008. He succeeded Anne Boquet in the post.-Early life :...
called Coppenrath "a great builder of the (Catholic) Church, particularly concerned with training (French) Polynesian priests. He leaves the lasting memory of a man profoundly good and warm whose great courtesy was only equaled by the firmness of his beliefs." Tributes were also extended by Oscar Temaru
Oscar Temaru
Oscar Manutahi Temaru is a French Polynesian politician. He has been President of French Polynesia , a French dependency with broad powers of self-rule, on five occasions: in 2004, from 2005 to 2006, from 2007 to 2008, in 2009, and again since 1 April 2011.-Career:He first served as the President...
, Bruno Sandras
Bruno Sandras
Bruno Sandras is a member of the National Assembly of France. He represents the islands of French Polynesia, and is a member of the Union for a Popular Movement.-References:...
, Gaston Flosse
Gaston Flosse
Gaston Flosse is a French Polynesian politician who has been President of French Polynesia on four separate occasions. He is currently a member of the Senate of France.-Life and career:...
and Jean-Christophe Bouissou
Jean-Christophe Bouissou
Jean-Christophe Matahuira Bouissou is a French Polynesian politician and leader of the Rautahi political party.- Education and early career :...
.
Michel-Gaspard Coppenrath was interred at the Priests' Cemetery in Tahiti.