AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - Bishop of Fenoarivo-Atsinanana appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, on 10 February 2009, appointed Fr. Marcellin Randriamamonjy, of the clergy of Ambositra, Rector of the Interdiocesan Major Seminary of Vohitsoa (Fianarantsoa), as Bishop of the Diocese of Fenoarivo-Atsinanana (Madagascar).
Father Marcellin Randriamamonjy was born on April 12, 1963 in Sandrandahy, Diocese of Ambositra. He completed his primary school studies in Sandrandahy and Ambositra. After completing secondary school studies at the Minor Seminary in Fianarantsoa, he transferred to the Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Ambatoroka (Antananarivo), from 1984 to 1992. He was ordained a priest on August 30, 1992 for the Diocese of Ambositra. Following his ordination, ministered in two districts of the Archdiocese of Fianarantsoa. From 1996-1998, he earned a Licentiate in Theology in Ambatoroka (Antananarivo) and from 1998-2001, a degree in Theology in Lyons (France). From 2001 to 2003, he worked as teacher and Dean of Studies at the Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Vohitsoa (Fianarantosoa) and, from 2003 to 2008, he served as Rector of the same Seminary. In July 2008, he left his post as Rector and went on sabbatical.
The Diocese of Fenoarivo-Atsinanana was erected in 2000 and is suffragan of the Archdiocese of Antsiranana. It has a surface area of 25,000 km sq and a population of 804,000 inhabitants, of which 150,000 are Catholics. It has 9 parishes, 34 priests (30 diocesans, 2 religious, and 2 fidei donum), 56 sisters and 29 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/2/2009)