Resignation of bishop of Mangalore, India, and appointment of successor

Resignation of auxiliary bishops of Chicago, U.S.A., and appointment of new auxiliaries

Appointment of bishop of Auki, Solomon Islands

Appointment of bishop of Cabina, Angola

Resignation of bishop of Mangalore, India, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Mangalore, India, presented by H.E. Msgr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, and at the same time appointed Rev. Paul Saldanha, professor of theology at the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, as bishop of Mangalore.

Rev. Paul Saldanha is 54 years old, been born on 27 April 1964 in Kinnigoli, diocese of Mangalore. He studied philosophy and theology at Saint Joseph’s interdiocesan seminary in Jeppu, Mangalore. He obtained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He also holds a diploma in depth psychology and formation from the Institute of Formators in Bangalore. He was ordained a priest on 6 May 1991 for the clergy of the diocese of Mangalore.

Since priestly ordination he has held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint Lawrence’s parish in Moodubelle (1991-1992); parish vicar of Our Lady of Miracles parish in Milagres (1992-1994); parish vicar of Our Lady of Dolors parish in Vittal (1994-1996); lecturer and formator at Saint Joseph’s interdiocesan seminary in Jeppu (1996-1999); vice rector of the same seminary (1997-1999); higher studies at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome (1999-2005); lecturer at Saint Joseph’s interdiocesan seminary in Jeppu (2005-2010); vice rector of the same seminary (2008-2010); professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome (since 2010); adjunct Spiritual Father at the Pontifical Urban College “De Propaganda Fide” in Rome (2011-2015); associate professor at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome (since 2015).

In March 2015 he was appointed as consulter of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops; and in July 2015 he was appointed Adiutor Secretarii Specialis of the 14th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Resignation of auxiliary bishops of Chicago, U.S.A., and appointment of new auxiliaries

The Holy Father has accepted the renunciations from the office of auxiliary of the archdiocese of Chicago, United States of America, presented by H.E. Msgr. Francis J. Kane and H.E. Msgr. George J. Rassas.

The Holy Father has appointed as auxiliary bishops of the archdiocese of Chicago, United States of America:

- Rev. Monsignor Ronald A. Hicks, of the clergy of the same archdiocese, vicar general, assigning him the titular see of Munaziana;

- Rev. Mark A. Bartosic, of the clergy of the same archdiocese, currently director and chaplain of the “Kolbe House” of Cook County Jail and parish priest of the “Assumption Parish” in Chicago, assigning him the titular see of Naratcata;

- Rev. Robert G. Casey, of the clergy of the same archdiocese, currently parish priest of the “Saint Bede the Venerable Parish” in Chicago, assigning him the titular see of Tuburbo maggiore.

Rev. Msgr. Ronald A. Hicks

The Rev. Mons. Ronald A. Hicks was born on 4 August 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, in the archdiocese of the same name. He attended the archdiocesan Quigley Preparatory Seminary (1981-1985) and then the Niles College Seminary (1985-1989), obtaining a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Loyola University in Chicago. He volunteered with the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Foundation (NPH), dedicating himself to the care of orphans and abandoned children for a year. He carried out ecclesiastical studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois (1990-1994). He later qualified as a Doctor of Ministry at the same University (1999-2004).

He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of Chicago on 21 May 1994.

Since ordination he has held the following positions: vicar of the Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Chicago (1994-1996) and of Saint Elizabeth Seton Parish in Orland Hills (1996-1999); faculty member at Saint Joseph College Seminary (1999-2005); regional director of Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos charitable organization to assist the orphans and young abandoned in Mexico and El Salvador (2005-2010); and member of the faculty and then dean of formation of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary / Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein (2010-2015). Since 2015 he has served as vicar general.

In addition to English, he speaks Spanish.

Rev. Msgr. Mark A. Bartosic

Rev. Msgr. Mark A. Bartosic was born on 21 June 1961 in Neenah, Wisconsin, in the diocese of Green Bay. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio (1983) and worked at the “Shakespeare Theatre Group” in Chicago. He entered the seminary and carried out his ecclesiastical studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois (1989-1994).

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on 21 May 1994.

Since ordination he has held the following positions: parish vicar and then administrator of the “Saint Agnes of Bohemia Parish” in Chicago (1994-2000); pastor of the “Saint Frances of Rome Parish” in Cicero (2001-2016) and of the “Our Lady of Charity Parish” in Cicero (2009-2016). Since 2007 he has served as vicar forane of “Deanery IV-C” and, since 2016 has been director and Chaplain of the “Kolbe House” of Cook County Jail and pastor of the “Assumption Parish” in Chicago.

In addition to English, he speaks Spanish and French.

Rev. Msgr. Robert G. Casey

Rev. Msgr. Robert G. Casey was born on 23 September 1967 in Chicago. After secondary school at the Marists, he entered the “Niles College Seminary” at the “Loyola University”, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in English literature (1985-1989). He carried out his ecclesiastical studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois (1990-1994).

He was ordained a priest for the archdiocese of Chicago on 21 May 1994.

Since ordination he has held the following positions: parish vicar of the “Saint Ita Parish” in Chicago (1994-1999), associate director and then director of the “Casa Jesus”, a preparatory program for candidates to the priesthood from Mexico and Central America, in Chicago (1998-2003); and pastor of the “Our Lady of Tepeyac Parish” (2003-2009) and the “Saint Barbara Parish” in Chicago (2009-2016). Since 2015 he has served as parish priest of the “Saint Bede the Venerable Parish” in Chicago, and since 2017 he is a member of the “Priests’ Placement Board”.

In addition to English, he speaks Spanish.

Appointment of bishop of Auki, Solomon Islands

The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Auki, Solomon Islands, the Rev. Peter Houhou, currently vicar general of the archdiocese of Honiara.

Rev. Peter Houhou

The Rev. Peter Houhou is 51 years old, born on 10 October 1966 in Marau, on the island of Guadalcanal. He entered the seminary and completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Bomana, Papua New Guinea. On 3 July 1999 he was ordained a priest and incardinated in the archdiocese of Honiara.

Since ordination he has held the following offices: parish vicar of Ruavatu (1999-2000); parish priest of Makina, in Marau (2000-2006); parish priest of Visale (2006-2015); vicar general of the archdiocese of Honiara, while maintaining his parish commitment (since 2011); and parish priest-administrator of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, as well as Vicar General (since 2015).

Appointment of bishop of Cabina, Angola

The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr Belmiro Cuica Chissengueti, C.S.Sp., currently provincial superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in Angola, as bishop of the diocese of Cabinda, Angola.

Rev. Fr Belmiro Cuica Chissengueti, C.S.Sp.

The Rev. Fr Belmiro Cuica Chissengueti, C.S.Sp., was born in the province of Bié, Central Angola, on 5 March 1969. He entered the preparatory seminary of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritan Fathers) in Lândana, Cabinda, then studying philosophy and theology in the major seminary of Christ the King at Huambo. He gave his perpetual vows on 5 August 1995 in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, and was ordained a priest on 5 May 1996.

He later studied civil law at the Catholic University of Angola, obtained a licentiate from the Pablo de Olavid University in Spain, and spent a period of training at the Bar Association of the Country.

Since his priestly ordination, he has held the following positions: parish vicar and then parish priest of São João Baptista di Lobita in the diocese of Benguela and member of the presbyteral council of the same diocese (1996-2000); counsellor of the province of the Spiritan Fathers in Angola (1997-2004); parish priest of São Pedro Apóstolo in Luanda (2000-2016); episcopal vicar for social pastoral care for the archdiocese of Luanda (2001-2009); member of the presbyteral council of the archdiocese of Luanda (2002-2003); first counsellor of the province of the Spiritan Fathers in Angola (2004-2013); secretary of the Episcopal Commission of CEAST for Justice and Peace (2010-2014); episcopal vicar of the Vicariate of São Pedro (since 2010); member of the ecclesiastical court of the archdiocese of Luanda (since 2013); and provincial superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit in Angola (from 2016).