Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On March 9, the Holy Father appointed the Reverend Msgr. Jean Claude Rakotoarisoa, of the clergy of the diocese of Tsiroanomandidy, until now vicar general and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Madagascar, as bishop of the diocese of Miarinarivo, Madagascar.
Msgr. Jean Claude Rakotoarisoa was born on 4 October 1972 in Tsiroanomandidy. After his studies in the minor and preparatory seminary in Tsiroanomandidy, he studied philosophy at the Saint Paul Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Manantenasoa-Antsirabe. After two years of pastoral experience in the minor seminary of Tsiroanomandidy, he studied theology at the Saint Pierre Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Ambatoroka-Antananarivo. He was ordained a priest on 29 August 1999 for the diocese of Tsiroanomandidy.
He was awarded a master’s degree in theology from the Catholic Institute of Madagascar, Antananarivo (1999-2001), and went on to serve as vicar of the Cathedral of Tsiroanomandidy (2001-2007), diocesan bursar and secretary of Tsiroanomandidy (2001-2009), interim director of the Catholic High School of Tsiroanomandidy (2005-2006), and vicar of the district of Andranomadio (2007-2008), parish priest of the district of Andranomadio (2008-2010). He studied in Rome at the Pontifical Urban University from 2010 to 2016, receiving a licentiate and doctorate in canon law, and went on to serve as diocesan administrator of Tsiroanomandidy (2017-2021). Since 2021, he has held the office of vicar general of Tsiroanomandidy and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Madagascar. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 13/3/2024)
