AFRICA/MADAGASCAR - Bishop of Ambositra appointed

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 24 June 2005 appointed Bishop of Ambositra (Madagascar) Rev. Fidelis Rakotonarivo, S.I., Provincial Consultor, Spiritual Director and Bursar at Fianarantsoa Seminary.
The new Bishop of Ambositra, Fr. Fidelis Rakotonarivo, S.I., was born on 28 August 1956 at Ambohimahazo (Ambositra). He went to minor seminary at Kianjasoa in Fianarantsoa, and then to the Novitiate of the Society of Jesus in Antananarivo. He studied philosophy in Democratic Congo, theology in Nairobi and spirituality in Canada. He was ordained a priest on 15 August 1992. Since then he has been: Spiritual Director at St. François Xavier College in Fianarantsoa (1992-1995); Director and bursar and the inter-diocesan major seminary at Vohitsoa Fianarantsoa (1995-1998); Superior of the Jesuit Community in Fianarantsoa (1998-2001). Since 2001 Superior of the Jesuit Community in Ambositra and Provincial Consultor.
Ambositra diocese has an area of 24,000sq km, a population of 695,651 of whom 334,786 are Catholics (over 40%), 20 pastoral centres, 18 parishes, 490 chapels, 71 priests (41 diocesan including 4 fidei donum, 30 religious), 42 Brothers, 104 Sisters and there are 14 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/6/2005; Righe 15; Parole 195)