AFRICA/ DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Manono

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II on 18 March 2005 appointed Bishop of Manono (Democratic Republic of Congo) Reverend Vincent De Paul Kwanga Njubu of the diocesan clergy of Kongolo and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Congo.
Rev. Vincent De Paul Kwanga Njubu was born on 24 January 1956 at Budi in the parish of Notre-Dame in the diocese of Kongolo. He studied in Congo and in Rome at the Gregorian University and has a degree in Canon Law. He was ordained a priest on 31 August 1985. He has been assistant priest, parish priest, Judicial Vicar, diocesan chancellor, teacher of Canon Law at St. Paul’s Seminary Lubumbashi. Since 2002 national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies with offices in Kinshasa.
The diocese of Manono created in 1971 is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Lubumbashi. It is situated in the region of Katanga. It has an area of 45.000 sq. km., a population of 296,850 including 152,158 Catholics gathered in 15 parishes and assisted by 44 priests, 1 Sister, and there are 9 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/3/2005; Righe 13; Parole 164)