Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
2 December 2008
Vatican — Pope Benedict has appointed Bishop Marcel Utembi Tapa of Mahagi-Nioka, in DR Congo, as archbishop of Kisangani.
The new archbishop replaces Laurent Monsegwo Pasinya who was named to the Archdiocese of Kinshasa last December 6.
The archbishop-elect was born in Luma in 1959, ordained a priest in 1984 and consecrated a bishop in 2002. The Archdiocese of Kisangani has 1.2 million people, with 575, 000 Catholics, served by priests 91 and 193 religious.
At the same time the pope has appointed Fr. William Avenya of the clergy of Makurdi, Nigeria, as auxiliary of the same diocese. Until his elevation, Fr Avenya was secretary general of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of West Africa (AECWA).
The bishop-elect was born in Ishangev Tiev, Nigeria in 1955 and ordained a priest in 1981. The Diocese of Makurdi has about 1.5 million Catholics, served by 157 priests and 163 religious.
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