Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, appointed, 22 November 2004, Auxiliary Bishop of Bukavu (Democratic Congo) Mgr. François Xavier Maroy, Vicar General of the same archdiocese assigning to him the titular see of Tucca di Mauritania.
The Bishop elect was born in Bukavu 1 September 1956. He studied in his home country and was ordained a priest on 19 August 1984. He has since been: assistant priest, Prefect and Rector of the minor seminary, diocesan bursar adjunct, Parish priest, Episcopal vicar for pastoral, Vicar General of the Archdiocese.
The archdiocese of Bukavu (1959) is situated in the eastern province of South Kivu, bordering on Rwanda and Burundi. Most of the people are of Bantu ethnic origin. This area has also been affected by war since 1998. It has an area of 8,815 sq. km, a population of 1,346,216 including 860,599 Catholics gathered in 33 parishes assisted by 187 priests (97 diocesan, 90 religious), 197 Brothers, 489 Sisters, 94 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2004; Righe 14; Parole 169)