AFRICA/MALI – REVEREND AUGUSTIN TRAORE APPOINTED BISHOP OF SEGOU

Vatican City (Fides Service) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has (30 October 2003) appointed Bishop of Segou in Mali, Reverend Father Augustin Traore, until now Rector of the major seminary in Bamako.
The Bishop elect was born on 15 November 1955 in the diocese of Segou. He began his studies for the priesthood at the minor seminary at Koulikoro, Mali, then studied philosophy in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso and theology in Koumi, Canon Law at Urban College in Rome and the Catholic Institute in Paris, France. He was ordained in 6 July 1985. Since then he has been assistant priest, parish priest, professor of Canon law and Rector of Bamako major seminary.
Segou diocese was created 4 April 1962 with territory taken from Bamako archdiocese of which it is suffragan with the dioceses of Kayes, Mopti, Sikasso and San. It has an area of 55.376 sq. km., and a population of 1.752 million (80% Muslim, 12% followers of traditional African religions). There are 12,000 Catholics gathered in 5 parishes and 50 mission stations, cared for by 14priests (12 diocesan and 2 Religious) 23 Sisters, and there rare 5 major seminarians. The diocese runs 11 schools.
The area was evangelised by the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) who arrived in 1885 and opened the first mission i Mali. (Fides Service 9/12/2003 EM lines 17 Words: 230)