AFRICA/ANGOLA-Appointment of the Bishop of Namibe

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Namibe (Angola) Rev. Dionisio Hisiilenapo of the clergy of Ondjiva, Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and Sao Tome.
Rev. Dionisio Hisiilenapo, was born on October 6, 1966 in Epumbu, in the Diocese of Ondjiva. Before beginning his journey toward priesthood, the candidate worked as a nurse in the Catholic Mission Hospital in Chiulo. He entered the Major Seminary of Luanda, after preparatory studies in Lubango, was ordained a priest on December 6, 1998 and incardinated in the diocese of Ondjiva. After his Ordination he has held the following positions: 1998-2000: Head of the Mission-Okanautoni Cuamato; 2000-2003: Studies for the Licentiate in Biblical Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University; 2003-2008: Superior of the same Mission from which had started (Okanautoni-Cuamato) and Professor at the diocesan preparatory Seminary. Member of the Diocesan Commission of biblical ministry, and of the Commission of the ministry of youth and vocations and family ministry; since 2008: Executive Secretary of the Catholic CEAST and Assistant of the Catholic Administrator Association. He is currently also part of the Press Office of the CEAST.
The Diocese of Namibe, built in 2009, is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lubango, it has an area of 97,097 square kilometers and a population of 1,202,928 inhabitants, of whom 272,154 are Catholics. There are 6 parishes, 15 priests (11 diocesan and religious 4, 5 religious brothers, 30 nuns and 22 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 07/08/2011)