Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, (28 March 2003) appointed Bishop of Lichinga (Mozambique) Reverend Father Hilario Da Cruz Massinga OFM., custodian of the Santa Clara Custos of Mozambique.
Reverend Father Hilario Da Cruz Massinga OFM., was born in Banze diocese of Xai-Xai, on 25 June 1958. He did his novitiate in Zimbabwe, studied theology in Pretoria (South Africa) and obtained a Licentiate in Franciscan Spirituality in the Pontifical Antonianum College in Rome. He was ordained a priest 9 January 1994. He has been: professor and formator at the Serafico seminary in Chimoio, parish priest of Chimoio cathedral and Custodian of the Santa Clara Custos in Mozambique.
The diocese of Lichinga, created in 1963 with the name Vila Cabral, took its present name when Mozambique became independent in 1976. It is a suffragan of Nampula archdiocese. The region was evangelised by the Consolata Missionaries who opened the first missions in 1928. The diocese is situated in the far northwest area of the country and it comprises the territory of the Niassa province. It has an area of 129,369 sq. km., a population of 802,212 of whom 197,557 are Catholics, gathered in 18 parishes, looked after by 29 priests, (12 diocesan, 17 missionary), assisted by 72 women Religious and there are 38 major seminarians. (Fides Service 7/4/2003 EM lines 20 Words: 229)