Africa/Mozambique - Lichinga - Bishop Gonzaga Fereira da Silva resigns
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, (25 January 2003) accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Lichinga in Mozambique presented by Bishop Louis Gonzaga Fereira da Silva. SJ, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401,1. (Fides Service 25/1/2003)

Asia/Myanmar - Pathein - new auxiliary appointed Rev. John Hsane Hgyi
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, (19 December 2002), appointed Auxiliary of the diocese of Pathein in Myanmar, Reverend Father John Hsane Hgyi, Rector of the National Theological Seminary in Yangon, assigning to him the titular see of Puppi. The Bishop elect was born at Pyingadoe Mayanchaung parish of Myaungmya in the diocese of Pathein on 15 December 1953, He studied in his home country and then in Manila. He was ordained a priest on 7 March 1982. He has since been: assistant parish priest, parish priest, spiritual director and rector of the philosophy seminary in Mandalay; rector of the National major theological seminary in Yangon.
The diocese of Pathein (formerly Bassein) a suffragan of the archdiocese of Yangon, in Myanmar, was created in 1954 when Pope Pius XII instituted the Catholic hierarchy in Burma. The diocese has an area of 25,328 sq. km and a population of 4,700,000, 82,150 are Catholics, gathered in 29 parishes, assisted by 93 priests (92 diocesan and 1 Paulist Father) 69 Brothers and 331 women religious. There are 26 major seminarians. More than 20 members of the diocesan clergy work outside the diocese as fidei donum. The diocese is governed by Bishop Charles Bo SDB, who is also the president of the Bishops' Conference and apostolic administrator of the vacant archdiocese of Mandalay. (Fides Service 25/1/2003)

Africa/Niger - Niamey - Bishop Guy Romano C.SS.R., resigns
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, (25 January 2003) accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Niamey in Niger presented by Bishop Guy Romano C. SS. R., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401,2. (Fides Service 25/1/2003)

Africa/Niger - Niamey - Bishop Michel Christian Cartateguy appointed
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, (25 January 2003), appointed Bishop of the diocese of Niamey in Niger, Bishop Michel Christian Cartateguy SMA, until now titular of Aulona and Auxiliary of Niamey. (Fides Service 25/1/2003)