AFRICA/ANGOLA - The Pope creates dioceses of Viana and Caxito and appoints first Bishops

Wednesday, 6 June 2007

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Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 6 June 2007 created the dioceses of Viana and Caxito (Angola), with territory taken from the archdiocese of Luanda, making them suffragans of the same metropolitan see. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI appointed first Bishop of Viana Bishop Joaquim Ferreira Lopes, O.F.M. Cap., until now Bishop of Dundo; and first Bishop of Caxito Rev. Fr. António Francisco Jaca, S.V.D., Provincia Superior of the Divine Word Missionaries in Angola.

The diocese of Viana (Latin Viananen/sis/), borders to the north with the archdiocese of Luanda, to the east and south with the diocese of a Sumbe. It comprises the following towns: Palanca, Buon Gesù, Calumbo, Catete, Barra di Kuanza, Cabo Ledo, Mumbondo, Kilamba Kiaxi, Demba Chio, Muxima and Massangano.
The new diocese of Caxito (Latin. Caxiton/sis/) borders to the north with the dioceses of Manza Congo and Uije, and to the east with the diocese of Ndalatando and to the west with the archdiocese of Luanda. It comprises the following towns: Ambriz, Bula Atumba, Dande, Dembos, Nambuangongo, Pango Aluquém, Cacuaco and Kikolo.
St Francis parish church in Viana will be the cathedral and St Anne's parish church in Caxito will be the cathedral of the new diocese of Caxito.

Statistics
Luanda (before division)
area 43,413sq km; population 5,343,681; Catholics 3.055.000; parishes 34; diocesan priests 13; Fidei donum priests 12; religious priests 104; Sisters 543; Sisters 73.
Luanda (after division)
area 1,074sq km; population 3,184,681; Catholics 2,341,000; parishes 19; diocesan priests 10; Fidei donum priests 8; religious priests 60; Sisters ?; major seminarians 51.
Viana
area 17,206 kmq; population 1,659,000; Catholics 500.000; parishes 9; diocesan priests 2; Fidei donum priests 3; religious priests 32; Sisters ? major seminarians 20.
Caxito
area 25,133 kmq; population 500,000; Catholics 214,000; parishes 6; diocesan priests 1; Fidei donum priests 1; religious priests 12; Sisters ?; major seminarians 2.
(S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 6/6/2007; Righe 34; Parole 349)