AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - The Pope appoints Bishop of Hwange

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on 5 December 2006, appointed Bishop of Hwange (Zimbabwe) Rev. Fr Alberto Serrano, I.E.M.E., until now Diocesan administrator and former Vicar General of the same diocese.
Fr. Alberto Serrano, I.E.M.E., was born on 14 April 1942, in Zaragoza (Spain). Ha studied at Zaragoza Seminary (1958-1962) and then at the Seminary of Burgos (1963-1964), for the Instituto Espanol de Misiones Extranjeras (I.E.M.E.). He was ordained in Burgos 1 July 1966, becoming a member of the IEME and has since ministered as follows: 1965-1967: Studies in Friburgo, Switzerland, for a Licentiate in dogmatic theology; 1968-1969: teacher of dogmatic theology at Burgos Seminary; 1970-2004: assistant priest at a number of missions: Holy Family, Hwange, Our Lady of Peace, Victoria Falls, Sacred Heart, Jambezi, St. Francis Xavier, Dete, and Saint Josephine Bakhita. Docent at the National Catechetical School, Spiritual director for the novices of the Missionary Daughters of Calvary, Dete, and the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God at Victoria Falls. Since 2004 vicar general of the diocese of Hwange of which until now he was administrator
The diocese of Hwange, created in 1953, is a suffragan of the archdiocese of Bulawayo. It has an area of 43,427sq km, a population of 345.265 of whom 41,118 are Catholics, gathered in 24 parishes, assisted by 34 priests (16 diocesan and 18 religious), 58 Sisters. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 6/12/2006; Righe 19; Parole 234)