Resignation of the bishop of Laghouat, Algeria, and appointment of successor

Appointment of the bishop of Cheyenne, U.S.A.

Appointment of the bishop of Keta-Akatsi, Ghana.

Resignation of the bishop of Laghouat, Algeria, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Laghouat, Algeria, presented by Msgr. Claude Rault, M. Afr., and appointed as bishop of Laghouat Rev. Fr. John Gordon MacWilliam, M. Afr., superior provincial of Algeria and Tunisia.

Rev. John Gordon MacWilliam, M. Afr.

Rev. John Gordon MacWilliam, M. Afr., was born on 20 September 1948 in Wimbledon (Surrey, London), in England. The son of a military father, during his adolescence he lived in Sudan and in Zimbabwe. After his primary education with Benedictines in Sussex, he attended various military schools, and also pursued a military path up to the grade of Major. He served in the army for seventeen years. He then joined the Missionaries of Africa and completed his studies in philosophy at the Society’s Missionary Institute in London (1984-1986), spending the Year of Spirituality (1986-1987) in Fribourg. After two years’ training in the Maghreb, especially in Tunisia (1987-1989), he returned to London to complete his studies in theology (1989-1992). During the same period he gave his religious vows (December 1991), and then received diaconal ordination (December 1991). He was ordained a priest on 4 July 1992.

After ordination he held the following offices and undertook further studies: Studies in Islamology at the P.I.S.A.I. in Rome (1992-1995); various roles in Algeria (1995-2008); various roles in Tunisia, including head of the Institute of Arab Letters (I.B.L.A.); superior provincial for North Africa (since 2015).

Appointment of the bishop of Cheyenne, U.S.A.

The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of Cheyenne, U.S.A., Rev. Fr. Steven Biegler, of the clergy of the diocese of Rapid City. Fr. Biegler is currently vicar general and rector of the “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” Cathedral in Rapid City.

Rev. Fr. Steven Biegler

Rev. Fr. Steven Biegler was born on 22 March 1959 in Mobridge, South Dakota, in the diocese of Rapid City. After attending the Timber Lake High School in Timber Lake, he studied for a year at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. He studied philosophy at the “Immaculate Heart of Mary” Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, and theology at the Pontifical North American College and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in theology (1992). He subsequently obtained a licentiate in biblical theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

He was ordained on 9 July 1993 for the diocese of Rapid City.

After priestly ordination he held the following offices: parish vicar of the “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” Cathedral in Rapid City (1993-1994); parish administrator of the “Immaculate Conception Parish” in Bonesteel, of the “Saint Anthony Parish” in Fairfax and the “Saint Francis Xavier Parish” in Ponca Creek (1994-1996); co-pastor of the “Saint Bernard Parish” in McLaughlin with the mission churches of “Saint Bonaventure” in McIntosh, “Saint Bede” in Wakpala, “Saint Aloysius” in Bullhead, “Assumption” in Kenel and “Saint Michael” in Watauga (1996-2006); member of the College of Consulters (1998-2003 and since 2009); director of pastoral formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome (2003-2006); chaplain of diocesan Catholic schools and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City (2007-2010); diocesan administrator in Rapid City (2010-2011); pastor of the “Our Lady of the Black Hills Parish” in Piedmont (2011-2015); vicar general (since 2011); rector of the “Our Lady of Perpetual Help” in Rapid City (since 2016).

Appointment of the bishop of Keta-Akatsi, Ghana

The Holy Father has appointed appointed Msgr. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, S.V.D., vicar apostolic of Donkorkrom, Ghana, as bishop of the diocese of Keta-Akatsi, Ghana.