AFRICA/ BURKINA FASO - The Pope accepts resignation of Bishop of Dédougou and appoints successor

Monday, 6 June 2005

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 4 June 2005 accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Dédougou (Burkina Faso) presented by Bishop Zéphyrin Toé in conformity with the Code of Canon Law 401 § 1. The Holy Father also appointed Bishop of Dédougou (Burkina Faso) Rev. Judes Bicaba, Vicar General of the same diocese.
The Bishop elect Judes Bicaba was born in 1947 at Wakara in what is today the diocese of Dèdougou. He studied in Burkina Faso and in Côte d'Ivoire at the Catholic Institute in Abidjan for a licentiate in pastoral theology. He was ordained a priest on 12 July 1975 for the diocese of Nouna-Dédougou. When the diocese of Dédougou he was moved there and ministered as assistant priest and then parish priest from 1975 to 1986. In 1986-1988 he studied in Abidjan. From 1988 to 2002 he was director of the Catechists’ Formation Centre. Since 2002 he has been vicar General and parish priest.
Nouna-Dédougou diocese was established in 1975 with territory taken from the archdiocese of Bobo-Dioulasso. In 2000 Nouna and Dedougou became separate dioceses suffragan of Bobo-Dioulasso. Dedougou is in northern Burkina Faso. It has an area of 28,374 sq. km., a population of 1,089,330 of whom 76,206 are Catholics, gathered in 14 parishes looked after by 77 priests (70 diocesan, 5 religious, 2 fidei donum), 85 women religious and there are 30 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 6/6/2005; Righe 23; Parole 247)


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