AFRICA/DEMOCRATIC CONGO - The Pope accepts resignation of Bishop of Kongolo and appoints successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 31 March 2007 accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Kongolo (Congo Democratic), presented by Bishop Jérôme Nday Kanyangu Lukundwe, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law can. 401 § 1. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rev. Fr. Oscar Ngoy wa Mpanga, C.S.Sp., until now provincial superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and parish priest at in Lubumbashi. Bishop of Kongolo.
The Bishop elect Oscar Ngoy wa Mpanga, C.S.Sp., was born on 5 December 1964 at Kyolo, diocese of Manono. He attended local schools and then studied philosophy at Jean XXIII Institute in Kolwezi (1985-1987). He entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (1987-1988) and made his first profession in 1988. He studied theology (1988-1992) Poullartdes Places Institute, Brazzaville, Republic on Congo. He was ordained a priest as a member of the C.S.Sp., 26 July 1992 and has since ministered as follows: Animator at Katako Centre of Catechesis in the diocese of Kindu (1992-1995); rector of the CSSp Jacques - Désiré LAVAL college for philosophy in Kinshasa (1992-1998); studies in missiology in Canada (1998-2000). Since 2000 CSSp Provincial; since 2002 parish priest at Sainte Elisabeth parish in Lubumbashi and since 2005 President of the assembly of Superiors major (ASUMA) of Katanga.
Kongolo diocese, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Lubumbashi, was created in 1959. It has an area of 44,206 sq km, a population of 700,000 including 120,000 Catholics gathered in 16 parishes, assisted by 36 priest (32 diocesan, 4 religious) and 74 sisters, and there are 49 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2007; Righe 22; Parole 283)