Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on 1 December 2006, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Sao Tome and Principe, presented by Bishop Abílio Rodas de Sousa Ribas, C.S.Sp., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, can. 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed as Bishop of Sao Tome and Principe Rev. Padre Manuel Antonio Mendes dos Santos, C.M.F., Provincial Superior of the Congregation of Missionaries Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Rev. Manuel António Mendes dos Santos, C.M.F., was born on 20 March 1960 in the parish Sào Joanhinho, Diocese of Lamego, in Portugal. He made his first religious profession in Fatima, 26 September 1980, his perpetual profession on 16 September 1983. He studied philosophy and theology at the Institute of Human and Theological Sciences in Porto and at the Catholic University of Lisbon. Ordained a priest on 13 June 1985 he has ministered as follows: 1986-1993: vocations promoter for the Portuguese Claretian Province; 1989-1993: Formator and rector of the minor seminary; 1994-1995: Missionary of Sao Tome, parish priest in the north of the Island; 1995-1997 specialisation in pastoral theology in Rome; Parish priest of Sào Sebastiào parish 1997-2001: head of "Coragào e Maria" pastoral zone in Setúbal; 2001 Superior Provincial of the Portuguese Claretian province; 2003-2005: president of the national conference of major superiors of Religious Institutes.
The diocese of Sao Tome and Principe, subject to the Holy See, was created in 1533. It has an area of 1.000 sq km, a population of 140.000 including 103,000 Catholics gathered in 17 parishes, assisted by 12 priests (10 religious and 2 fidei donum), 39 Sisters and there are 16 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/12/2006; Righe 20; Parole 281)
