Well known Catholic Priest Fr. Muliau Stowers who is known for his work with the Archdiocese of Apia Samoa and the church's youth has passed away.

Fr. Muliau died in New Zealand on Friday after he was flown out of the country for urgent medical treatment a few months ago.

A former student of the St. Joseph's College and top of his seminarian class at the Pacific Regional Seminary in Fiji, Fr. Muliau is remembered for his work with the young people. 

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Apia Samoa, Fr. Pio Galumalemana said that Fr. Muliau was one of the first young priests to receive a high appointment in the church. 

Hailing from the villages of Lano and Vailele, Fr. Muliau graduated on 29 May 2004. He attended St. Joseph's College and was the Vice Head Boy in  the class of 1994 before becoming a seminarian. 

"Throughout his academic life, he was very smart," Fr. Pio told the Samoa Observer. "While studying as a seminarian in Fiji, he was the only Samoan in his year. 

"I heard that from his academic life there he was the only one with Honours, he topped the seminarian [class] for the whole Pacific in Fiji."

The late priest then returned to Samoa as a deacon for six months before graduating as a fully-fledged priest on 29 May 2004. 

"He started is work differently from other priests, when he started he had new methods [...] and was very active in the church. 

"He served many parishes but my testimony from the beginning of his priesthood, he was the youngest priest to receive high appointments in the church."

Fr. Pio said Fr. Muliau held the roles of Episcopal Vicar of the Leauvaa Vicariate and was also the Director for the Youth of the Catholic Youth of Samoa.

"Fr. Muliau is known by many for his seminars on the Bible and teaching of the church. He is smart and a priest of many talents as a teacher," he said.

"I had worked with Fr. Muliau at the Cathedral not long ago. He was the Episcopal Vicar and looked after the parish, while I was the assistant when I was looking after the Taufusi parish.

"Fr. Muliau has had these appointments in the church for a long time because of his qualifications and talents.

"His academic life was mostly in Fiji, but there was a time he had traveled to Trinidad for education."

It is understood discussions are underway with Fr. Muliau's family in New Zealand on when they are able to return his body to Samoa following the decision of the Archbishop. But a date is yet to be confirmed due to restrictions imposed by the current State of Emergency (S.O.E.) Orders.

According to Fr. Pio, the late Fr. Muliau was also dedicated in working at the St. Joseph's College as a teacher. 

"The majority of his priesthood he had worked with the youth," he said. "He has given a lot of contribution to the church, that is why people cannot forget Muliau."

"He had a lot of responsibilities, not only being the Episcopal Vicar, Director of the Youth, teaching at Lotopa, also a teacher at the Moamoa Theological College, and looking after the parish. 

"He is a Priest that spends 24 hours [working], he does not rest. Muliau does not know how to rest, even though he is sick but he still does it."

Fr. Pio added that Fr. Muliau had served the church for a short time but did a lot, which is why people know of his work in the church.