AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - The Pope creates new diocese Moramanga and appoints first Bishop

Monday, 15 May 2006

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 13 May 2006 created the diocese of Moramanga (Madagascar) with territory taken from the diocese of Ambatondrazaka, making it suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Antananarivo. The Holy Father also appointed as first Bishop of Moramanga (Madagascar) Bishop Gaetano Di Pierro, S.C.I., until now titular Bishop of Guardalfiera and auxiliary of Ambatondrazaka.
Information: the new diocese of Moramanga is situated 120 km from the capital Antananarivo and about 300 km from Toamasina, the main port of Madagascar. The diocese borders to the north on the mother-diocese and to the east and south on the diocese of Toamasina, and to the west on the archdiocese of Antananarivo.
statistics:

MORAMANGA
area 12.064sq km.; population 348.170; Catholics 110.000; parishes 3; diocesan priests 4; religious priests 13; Brothers 5; Sisters 67; mission stations 7; Catechists 178

Ambatondrazaka
(before division)
area; 35.000 sq. km ; population; 1.500.000 Catholics; 330.000; parishes 8; diocesan priests 12; religious priests; 34; Brothers 10; Sisters 187; Major seminarians; 14; mission stations 20; Catechists 452

Ambatondrazaka (after division)
area 21.436 sq km.; population 1.151.830; Catholics 220.000; parishes 5; diocesan priests 8; religious priests 21; Brothers 5; Sisters 120; mission stations 13; Catechists 274

The parish church Sacred Heart of Jesus at Moramanga will serve as the cathedral for the new diocese. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/5/2006; Righe 63; Parole 204)


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