Elevation of the apostolic vicariate of Bluefields to diocese, creation of the new diocese of Siuna, Nicaragua, and appointment of the first bishops

Resignation of bishop of Banjul, Gambia, and appointment of successor

Resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Wollongong, Australia, and appointment of successor

Appointment of bishop of Sulmona-Valva, Italy

Elevation of the apostolic vicariate of Bluefields to diocese, creation of the new diocese of Siuna, Nicaragua, and appointment of the first bishops

The Holy Father Francis has elevated the apostolic vicariate of Bluefields to a diocese, and appointed as bishop of Bluefields H.E. Msgr. Pablo Schimitz Simon, O.F.M. Cap., currently apostolic vicar of the same see.

At the same time, the Pope has approved the creation of the new diocese of Siuna, Nicaragua, and appointed as first bishop of the newly-erected circumscription H.E. Msgr. David Albin Zywiec Sidor, O.F.M. Cap., currently auxiliary of the apostolic vicariate of Bluefields.

The new diocese of Bluefields remains in the South Region, with nine civil districts, and will be a suffragan of the metropolitan see of Managua.

The newly-erected diocese of Siuna (Siunaënsis) is situated in the North Region, at least initially, with eleven civil districts. The see will initially be the parish Church of Siuna. The new diocese will also be a suffragan of the archdiocese of Managua.

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Resignation of bishop of Banjul, Gambia, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Banjul, Gambia, presented by H.E. Msgr. Robert Patrick Ellison, C.S.Sp.

The Pope has appointed as bishop of the same diocese Rev. Fr. Gabriel Mendy C.S.Sp., professor and vice rector of the Spiritan International School of Theology in Enugu, Nigeria.

Rev. Fr. Gabriel Mendy C.S.Sp.

The Rev. Fr. Gabriel Mendy C.S.Sp., was born on 9 April 1967 in Lamin, Gambia, in the diocese of Banjul. He completed his secondary studies at St. Peter’s Technical and Senior Secondary School in Lamin in 1985, and lived in Postulandato and Novitiate in Gambia from 1985 to 1987. After studying philosophy at Nsukka in Nigeria (1987-1990) he gained pastoral experience in the parish of the Most Holy Trinity in the diocese of Kenema, Sierra Leone, from 1990 to 1991. He studied at the Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, USA, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, and went on to serve at Saint Peter’s Seminary and Saint Theresa’s Secondary School (1992-1993). He continued his training at the Spiritan International School of Theology in Enugu, Nigeria, from 1993 to 1997.

He issued his perpetual vows on 31 August 1996 in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.

Since his priestly ordination on 15 November 1997, he has held the following roles: pastoral service at Saint Peter’s parish and Saint Theresa’s parish (1997-1998); collaborator in the Saint Martin of Porres parish in Freetown, Sierra Leone (1997-1998); teacher at the major pre-seminary of Saint Kizito in Kenema, Sierra Leone and pastor in the Holy Trinity parish in Kenema (1999-2002); pastor in the parish of Santa Maria in Pendembu, Sierra Leone (2002-2004); student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, U.S.A. (2004-2009); parish vicar in Our Lady of the Sea parish in New York, USA (2009-2010), where from 2006 to 2016 he also served as a summer co-worker.

Since 2010 he has served as professor of ecclesiology, fundamental theology, theology of worship, liturgy and catechesis at the Spiritan International School of Theology in Nigeria; since 2011 he has also served as vice rector of the same Institute. At Duquesne University he obtained a diploma in theology in 1998 and, in 2009, PhD in systematic theology.

Resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Wollongong, Australia, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Wollongong, Australia, presented by H.E. Msgr. Peter William Ingham.

The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Wollongong, Australia, Msgr. Brian Mascord, of the clergy of the diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, currently vicar general of the same diocese.

H.E. Msgr. Brian Mascord

Msgr. Brian Mascord was born on 30 January 1959 in Newcastle. Before entering the seminary, he was a primary school teacher. Following his studies at Saint Patrick’s seminary in Manly, he

Appointment of bishop of Sulmona-Valva, Italy

The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of Sulmona-Valva, Italy, Rev. Michele Fusco, of the clergy of the archdiocese of Amalfi-Cava de’ Tirreni, currently pastor of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano and spiritual director of the John Paul II Metropolitan Seminary of Salerno.

Rev. Michele Fusco

The Rev. Michele Fusco was born on 6 December 196 in Piano di Sorrento, in the province of Naples, in the archdiocese of Amalfi-Cava de’ Tirreni. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in theology from the Theological Faculty of Southern Italy – San Tommaso Section. He subsequently obtained a master’s degree from the School for Formators of the Pontifical Gregorian University.

He was ordained a priest on 25 June 1988 and incardinated in the archdiocese of Amalfi-Cava de’ Tirreni.

He has held the following offices: deputy priest of the parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano and teacher of religion in the middle schools of Amalfi and Positano (1988-1996); parish priest of Santa Maria della Grazie of Montepertuso of Positano (1996-2003); parish priest of Santa Maria delle Grazie of Benincasa di Vietri (2003-2004); pastor of Santa Maria del Rovo in Cava de’ Tirreni (2004-2006); director of the Diocesan Centre for Vocations (1998-2008); head of diocesan youth ministry (1994-2001); spiritual director at the John Paul II Metropolitan Seminary of Salerno (2001-2007); member of the Italian Presbyteral Commission (2003-2013); member of the National Centre for Vocations (2003-2013); pastor of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew the Apostle of Amalfi (2007-2016).

Since 2011 he has served as vicar forane of Amalfi-Atrani-Scala-Ravello; head of the formation of seminarians; member of the Presbyteral Council and Diocesan Pastoral Council, secretary of the diocesan council for economic affairs, member of the Commission of Ordained Ministers; member of the Managing Board of the diocesan seminary, and finally Spiritual Father at the Cardinal Alessio Ascalesi Major Seminary of Naples Capodimonte.

Since 2012 she has served as spiritual director at the John Paul II Metropolitan Seminary of Salerno, and since November 2016, pastor of the parish of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano.