Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 15 February 2007 accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Miarinarivo (Madagascar) presented by Bishop Raymond Razakarivony in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1.
The Holy Father appointed Rev. Jean Claude Randrianarisoa Bishop of Miarinarivo(Madagascar). Rev. Randrianarisoa of the clergy of Antananarivo was until now Rector of the Interdiocesan Seminary in Faliarivo (Antananarivo).
The Bishop elect was born on 4 December 1961 at Nandihizana Carion, archdiocese of Antananarivo. After school he entered the seminary at Ambatoroka and studied philosophy and theology at the Catholic Institute of Madagascar (I.C.M.). With further studies in various places he obtained a degree in philosophy 1986; a Licentiate in Theology at I.C.M. 1992; a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University 2003. He was ordained a priest on 21 September 1991 for the archdiocese of Antananarivo. Since then he has ministered as follows: assistant priest in Tsaramasay and then parish priest at Imerintsiatosika (1991-1998); rector of Ambohipo Minor Seminary (1998-2000); Studies in Canon Law at Urban University in Rome (2000-2003). Since 2003 rector of the inter-diocesan seminary at Faliarivo (Antananarivo); since 2005 adjunct judicial vicar.
The diocese of Miarinarivo, suffragan of the archdiocese of Antananarivo, was created in 1955. It has an area of 18,000 sq km., and a population of 445,284 of whom 247,000 are Catholics gathered in 16 parishes, assisted by 43 priests (36 diocesan and 7 religious), 71 Sisters and there are 34 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/2/2007; Righe 22; Parole 276)
