Appointment of coadjutor archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Holy Father has appointed H.E. Msgr. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M., Cap., archbishop of Mbandka-Bikoro and apostolic administrator of the diocese of Bukungu-Ikela, as coadjutor archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

H.E. Msgr. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M., Cap.

H.E. Msgr. Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, O.F.M., Cap., is 58 years old, and was born on 24 January 1960 in Boto, diocese of Molegbe. After attending courses in philosophy at the seminary of Bwamanda and theology at the Saint Eugène de Mazenod Institute, he gave his first vows in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1981, and his perpetual vows in 1987. He was ordained a priest on 14 August 1988. He holds a degree in moral theology from the Alphonsianum Academy.

Since priestly ordination he has served as parish priest in Bobito (1988-1989), professor in the Catholic University of Kinshasa, major superior, vice-provincial of the Capuchin Fathers of the Vice-Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, National President of the Assembly of Major  Superiors (ASUMA) and of the Circumscription of Friars Minor Capuchin in Africa (CONCAU).

Elected as bishop of Bokungu-Ikela, he received episcopal ordination on 6 March 2005. He was, in addition, apostolic administrator of Kole, president of the episcopal Commission “Justice and Peace”, and apostolic administrator of Mbandaka-Bikoro, before being appointed as archbishop of the same archdiocese on 12 November 2016.

Since June 2016 he has served as vice-president of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO).