Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II on 25 October 2003, has appointed Auxiliary of the Archdiocese of Luanda (Angola) Rev. Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias, Vice rector of the Catholic University of Angola and Rector of the major seminary of Luanda archdiocese, assigning to him the titular See of Fiumepiscense.
The new Auxiliary was born in Luanda 18 April 1958. He studied for the priesthood in Angola and in Rome, obtaining a Licentiate in Theology at the Pontifical Urban University, a degree in Theology at the Lateran University and a Licentiate in Philosophy at the Gregorian University. He has a diploma in juridical-administrative practices from the School sponsored by the Congregation for the Clergy; he studied journalism in Luanda and at the Catholic Institute in Paris. He was ordained a priest on 30 October 1983. He has since been: parish assistant; rector of Luanda minor propaedeutic seminary; teacher in various subjects; chaplain and assistant to various local religious communities; Rector of Luanda Major Seminary and vice-Rector of the Catholic University of Angola.
Luanda archdiocese is one of the three metropolitan Sees in Angola. Its suffragan dioceses are Cabinda, Dundo, Melanje, Mbanza Congo, Ndalatando, Novo Redondo, Saurimo, Uije. It has an area of 34.000 sq. km., a population of 4.890.000 of whom 3.011.000 are Catholics gathered in 32 parishes, assisted by 134 priests (23 diocesan and 111 religious), 19 Brothers, 527 Sisters, 133 major seminarians. The Catholic University of Angola is situated in Luanda archdiocese. (S.L.) (Fides Service 25/10/2003; lines 18; words 237)
