AFRICA/BURUNDI - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Bururi

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 25 June 2007 appointed Rev. Venant Bacinoni of the clergy of Bururi, Professor at Jean Paul II major seminary in Gitega, Bishop of Bururi (Burundi).
The Bishop elected was born on 20 February 1940 in Kirisi, diocese of Bururi. He attended local schools and in 1953 entered minor seminary at Megera (archdiocese of Gitega) and then went on to major seminary at Burasira (diocese of Ngozi) for studies in philosophy (1959-1962) and then to the Saint Curé d’Ars Seminary for theology (1962-1965). He was ordained a priest in 20 April 1965 and has since ministered as follows: studies in philosophy at Rumuri University Burundi (1965-1966); studies at Urban University in Rome for a Licentiate in Theology and then at the Gregorian University for a Licentiate in Biblical Theology (1966-1971); assistant priest at the cathedral of Bururi (1971-1972); Professor of New Testament and Dogmatic at the major Inter-diocesan seminary of Bujumbura (1972-1976); Studies for a degree in Biblical theology at the Gregorian University (1976-1982); Professor of New Testament and Biblical Greek at the inter-diocesan major seminary in Bujumbura, as well as secretary of the Bishops' Conference (1982-1984); Rector of the major inter-diocesan seminary at Burasira (1985-1993); rector Jean-Paul II major Inter-diocesan seminary in Gitega (1994-1998); assistant priest at Rutana and Professor New Testament Jean-Paul II Inter-diocesan seminary at Gitega (1998-1999); parish priest at Rutana and Professor at Jean-Paul II Inter-diocesan seminary at Gitega (1999-2001). Since 2001 Professor at Gitega, in charge of Kirundi translations of the Bible, a member of the Bishops' Commission for the new Kirundi translation of the Missal and a member of the administration council of the Bible Society of Burundi. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 25/6/2007; Righe 13; Parole 196)