AFRICA/TANZANIA - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Mbulu

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 22 April 2006, appointed Bishop of Mbulu (Tanzania) Rev. Fr. Beatus Kinyaiya, O.F.M. Cap., formerly Provincial Superior for Tanzania.
The Bishop elect was born on 9 May 1957 at Shimbwe, diocese of Moshi. After primary school at Shimbwe, and secondary school at Seminaries at Maua and Itaga, he completed his novitiate in the Order of the Capuchin Fathers at Basita and made his perpetual profession on 5 June 1988. He studied philosophy at Kibosho Senior Seminary and theology at St. Charles Lwanga Segerea Senior Seminary. He was ordained a priest on 25 June 1989. He has a BA and an MA in mixed studies, history, geography and philosophy from London University. After his ordination he ministered as follows: 1989-1992: vice rector and teacher at the Franciscan Seminary at Maua; 1996-1999: rector at the Franciscan Seminary at Maua; 1999-2005: Provincial Superior for Tanzania; president of the Capuchin Superiors Major of EACC.; president of the Religious Superiors Association of Tanzania (RSAT). At present he is on a sabbatical year in Rome, studying spiritual theology at the Pontifical University of St Anthony (Antonianum).
Mbulu diocese was created in 1953, it is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Arusha. It has an area of 1,605 sq. km., a population of 900.000 of whom 242,698 are Catholics gathered in 36 parishes, assisted by 58 priests (diocesan, religious and missionary) and 175 women religious and there are 35 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 24/4/2006; Righe 18; Parole 232)