AFRICA/CONGO - Creation of Diocese of Impfondo and appointment of first Bishop

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on 11 February 2011, elevated the Apostolic Prefect of Likouala (Republic of Congo) to the rank of diocese, with the name of Impfondo and with the same spatial configuration. The Holy Father appointed as the first Bishop of Impfondo (Republic of Congo), Father Jean Gardin, CSSp., currently Apostolic Prefect of Likouala.
The new Bishop was born 28 October 1941 in Saint-Poïs, France, Diocese of Coutances. After primary and secondary studies, he entered the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, making his perpetual vows in 1969 and becoming a priest on 29 June of that year.
After his priestly ordination he held the following roles: 1969-1970: he obtained a Baccalaureate in Theology from the Institut Catholique in Paris; 1970-1995: Missionary to the Congo-Brazzaville. He worked at the Catholic Missions of Ewo and Mossaka, “missions along the river”, in the Diocese of Owando; then, in the missionary region of Likouala, at that time belonging to the Diocese of Ouesso; 1995-2000: returned to France becoming Superior of the Community of the Spiritan Fathers of the western region of Rennes, and the Director of the Missionary Centre in Poullart-des-Places; since 2000: He has been the First Prefect of the Apostolic Prefecture of Likouala.
The Apostolic Prefecture of Likouala was instituted on 30 October 2000, following the division of the Diocese of Ouesso, and entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritan Fathers).
The Apostolic Prefecture has an area of 66,044 sq. km and a population of 167,000. In the vast territory, in the north-east of the Country, there are little more than 45,000 Catholics (c. 27%). Within the territory there are 8 parishes directed by 8 priests (1 diocesan and 7 Fidei Donum), 5 Spiritan missionaries, 8 coadjutor brothers. There are 16 religious sisters and 5 major seminarians. The main church in the Prefecture is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Currently, the Apostolic Prefecture of Likouala has been elevated to a diocese with the new name of Impfondo (Latin Impfonden/sis). (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/02/2011)