AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - The Pope creates new Diocese of Alindao and appoints first Bishop

Monday, 20 December 2004

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Vatican City (Fides Service) -The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, on 18 December 2004, created the diocese of Alindao (Central African Republic), with territory taken from the diocese of Bangassou, making it suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Bangui. The Holy Father has appointed first Bishop of Alindao (Central African Republic) Reverend Peter Marzinkowski, C.S.Sp., Provincial Superior in Germany.
The new diocese - Alindao diocese will include the prefectures of Basse-Kotto and its six sub-prefectures (Mobaye, Zangba, Kembé, Satéma, Mingala and Alindao).

Here is some information in detail
BANGASSOU before
area 169,090 sq km
population 351,500
Catholics 90,000
Parishes 13
diocesan priests 15
Fidei Donum priests 4
Religious priests 17
Brothers 3
Women religious 31
Lay missionaries 4

ALINDAO
area 18,475 sq km
population 160,000
Catholics 38,000
Parishes 5
diocesan priests 11
Fidei Donum priests 2
Religious priests 2
Brothers 2
Women religious 12
Lay missionaries 2

BANGASSOU today
area 150,615 sq.km
population 191,500
Catholics 52,000
Parishes 8
diocesan priests; 4
Fidei Donum priests 2
Religious priests 15
Brothers 1
Women religious 19
Lay missionaries 2
Sacred Heart church in Alindao, will serve as the Cathedral.

The first Bishop of Alindao - Reverend Peter Marzinkowski, C.S.Sp was born on 19 March 1939 in Leipzig, diocese of Breslavia (then Germany, today Poland). He studied in Breslavia and in Rome at the Gregorian University. He entered the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers making his first profession in 1961 and perpetual profession in 1964. He was ordained a priest on 21 July 1968 and sent on mission to the Central African Republic.
He has since been: Missionary at Bria (1968-1977); parish priest at "Notre Dame des Victoires" Bambari and diocesan head of lay formation (1977-1982). He was then recalled to Germany where he was involved in missionary animation. From 1986 to 1993 he was General Councillor of his Order. He returned to Central African Republic and was appointed parish priest and vicar general of Mbaiki diocese (1993-2000). Since 2000 he has been C.S.Sp., Superior Provincial in Germany. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 20/12/2004; Righe 67; Parole 308)