Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has accepted (14 December 2002) the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Ngozi (Burundi) presented by Bishop Stanislas Kaburungu, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401,2. He is succeeded by Bishop Gervais Banshimiyubusa until now coadjutor of the same diocese. (Fides Service 14/12/2002)
Africa/Burundi - Muyinga diocese, new Bishop, Rev. Joachim Ntahondereye
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has appointed (14 December 2002) Bishop of Muyinga (Burundi) of the clergy of Ruyigi diocese, professor of moral theology at the major seminary of Gitega.
The Bishop elect was born on May 8, 1953 in Camzai in the diocese of Ruyigi. He attended local schools and then studied in Tanzania and Italy, obtaining a degree in moral theology at the Alfonsianum. He was ordained a priest on 16 November 1980. Since then he has been: assistant parish priest, bursar of the diocesan minor seminary, professor of moral theology at Regina Mundi college in Rome and presently at Gitega major seminary.
Muyinga diocese was created in 1968 a suffragan of Gitega archdiocese. It has an area of 5,767 sq. km., a population of 959,920 (90% Hutu, 9% Tutsi, and 1% Twa; 525,027 are Catholics, gathered in 14 parishes , looked after by 31 priests (22 diocesan, more than half foreign fidei donum priests, and 9 religious); 9 Brothers, 113 Sisters and about 400 catechists. The first missionaries were the White Fathers or Missionaries of Africa. (Fides Service 14/12/2002)