AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Bokungu-Ikela

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, appointed on 22 November 2004 Bishop of Bokungu-Ikela (Democratic Congo) Father Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M. Cap., Vice-Provincial of his religious Order in Democratic Congo.
The Bishop elect was born in Boto, in the diocese of Molegbe, 24 January 1960. He studied in his home country and in Rome where he obtained a degree in moral theology at the Alfonsianum College. He was ordained a priest in 1988 and has since been: Parish priest, Professor at Catholic Faculties in Kinshasa, major Superior Vice-Provincial of Capuchins in vice province Democratic Congo, national President of ASUMA and CONCAU (Circumscription of Friars Minor in Africa), of the "Cri du Pauvre" committee of the Capuchins in Rome.
Bokungu-Ikela diocese, suffragan of Mbandaka-Bikoro, had been vacant since 2001 because of civil war which raged in this area since 1998. The diocese, situated in the central northern province of Equator, has an area of 42,000 sq. km, 520,450 including 44,300 Catholics, gathered in 14 parishes, assisted by 24 priests (20 diocesan, 3 missionary religious, 1 fidei donum), 5 Brothers, 21 Sisters, 16 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/11/2004; Righe 16; Parole 196)