Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has ( 8 November 2003) appointed Bishop of the diocese of Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) Reverend Father P. Gustavo Bombin Espino OSST, parish priest and Superior of the missionary district of Maintirano on the Mozambique Channel.
The Bishop elect was born on 24 September 1960 at San Llorente (Valladolid-Spain). He studied for the priesthood in Spain at the Granada Theology Faculty, was ordained a priest on 21 March 1987 and sent immediately to Madagascar. He has been: assistant priest; parish priest; Episcopal Vicar; Vicar General at Tsiroanomandidy; parish priest and Superior of the missionary district of Maintirano on the Mozambique Channel.
The Island of Madagascar has an area of 112.342 sq. km and a population of about 16 million of whom 4.500.000 are Catholics. There are 20 dioceses grouped in three ecclesiastical provinces. Tsiroanomandidy diocese, created on 11 December 1958, is suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Antananarivo. The area was evangelised by Spanish Trinitarian Fathers who first arrived in 1926. The diocese has an area of 40.000 sq. km, a population of 393.363 of whom 161.483 are Catholics gathered in 3 parishes and 12 mission stations, cared for by 17 diocesan priests, 19 Religious priests assisted by 70 Sisters. There are 20 major seminarians.(S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 8/11/2003; lines 15; words 184)
