Roman Catholic Diocese of Berbérati

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Berbérati (Latin: Berberaten(sis)) is a diocese in Berbérati in the Ecclesiastical province of Bangui in the Central African Republic.

On May 14, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Reverend Father Dennis Kofi Agbenyadzi, S.M.A., who until then had been serving as the Regional Superior of the Society of African Missions for the Central African Republic, as Bishop-elect of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Berbérati, Central African Republic (area: 45,000; population: 450,000; Catholics: 110,000; priests: 33; religious: 30). The Bishop-elect was born on October 9, 1964, in the Akan Kadjebi District, Ghana, which is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jasikan and of the Volta Region, Ghana. After completing his secondary education, he entered the national civil service. Then, in the late 1980s, he entered into the Society of African Missions. He studied philosophy at the Seminary of Accra, Ghana (1989-1991). Later, he spent a year in Benin, and then did some pastoral training. Subsequently, he completed his studies in theology at the Major Seminary in Anyama, Abidjan, Cote d Ivoire (1993-1997). He professed perpetual vows on June 29, 1996, and then was ordained to the presbyterate on July 12, 1997. After Ordination, he held the following offices,: from 1997-1999: Parochial Vicar in Berbérati; 1999-2005: as a Priest in Berbérati, and at the same time as Director of Development for the Pygmy people; as a Member of the Episcopal Council; 2004-2007: Assistant to the Regional Superior; 2005-2009: training in Bangui, Central African Republic, and service as a member of the Diocesan Commission for Pastoral Care of migrants. Then, in 2007, he was elected to serve as the Regional Superior of the Fathers of the Society of African Missions. Bishop-elect Agbenyadzi was re-elected in 2010 for a second term. He succeeds Bishop Agostino Giuseppe Delfino, O.F.M. Cap.; his episcopal ordination and installation took place on July 28, 2012.

History

• May 28, 1940: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Berbérati from the Apostolic Vicariate of Foumban in Cameroon and Apostolic Vicariate of Oubangui Chari
• March 13, 1952: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Berbérati
• September 14, 1955: Promoted as Diocese of Berbérati

Leadership

• Bishops of Berbérati (Roman rite)
  • Bishop Dennis Kofi Agbenyadzi, S.M.A. (since 2012.05.14)
  • Bishop Agostino Giuseppe Delfino, O.F.M. Cap. (1991.06.17 – 2010.06.17)
  • Bishop Jérôme-Michel-Francis Martin, O.F.M. Cap. (1987.10.03 – 1991.06.17)
  • Bishop Alphonse-Célestin-Basile Baud, O.F.M. Cap. (1955.09.14 – 1979.06.02)
• Vicars Apostolic of Berbérati (Roman rite)
  • Bishop Alphonse-Célestin-Basile Baud, O.F.M. Cap. (1954.04.10 – 1955.09.14)
• Prefects Apostolic of Berbérati (Roman rite)
  • Fr. Pietro Alcantara da Habas, O.F.M. Cap. (1941.03.28 – 1952)

See also

• Roman Catholicism in the Central African Republic

Sources

• GCatholic.org information