AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - Pemba Rev. Ernesto Maguengue appointed Bishop

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, 24 June 2004, appointed Bishop of Pemba (Mozambique) Reverend Ernesto Maguengue of the clergy of Maputo.
The Bishop elect was born on 2 August 1964 at Chidenguele, diocese of Xai-Xai. He was ordained a priest on 14 May 1989 for the diocese of Maputo. He has been: assistant priest, head of the archdiocesan Pastoral Office and teacher at the Seminary for Philosophy (1989-92). He then studied in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University obtaining a doctorate in theology (1992-98). In 1999 he was appointed vice rector of the St Pius X inter-diocesan seminary and rector in 2000. He teaches at the St Augustine Seminary and at the Mãe da Africa Higher Institute.
Pemba diocese is a suffragan, with Lichinga and Nacala, of the archdiocese of Nampula. It was created in 1976. Situated in the north of Mozambique, the diocese has an area of 82,625 sq. km, a population of 2 million of whom, 400,000 are Catholics, gathered in 17 parishes, looked after by 21 priests (14 diocesan and 7 religious), 50 women religious and 24 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/7/2004; Righe 14; Parole 179)