Erection of the ecclesiastical province of Mbeya, Tanzania, and appointment of the first metropolitan archbishop
Appointment of bishop of Barinas, Venezuela
Erection of the ecclesiastical province of Mbeya, Tanzania, and appointment of the first metropolitan archbishop
The Holy Father has erected the ecclesiastical province of Mbeya, Tanzania, elevating it to a metropolitan Church, and assigning as suffragan Churches the dioceses of Iringa and Sumbawanga.
The Pope has appointed H.E. Msgr. Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga, currently bishop of Mpanda, as the first metropolitan archbishop of Mbeya, Tanzania.
Data relating to the dioceses of the new ecclesiastical province
The new ecclesiastical province of Mbeya in Tanzania will have as suffragans: the diocese of Iringa (currently belonging to the province of Songea) and the diocese of Sumbawanga (currently belonging to the province of Tabora).
Data relating to the dioceses of the new ecclesiastical province
Diocese
|
Mbeya
|
Iringa
|
Sumbawanga
|
Area (km2)
|
60,348
|
43,218
|
28,654
|
Inhabitants
|
2,783,000
|
2,552,116
|
1,323,080
|
Catholics
|
548,000
|
695,366
|
805,388
|
Parishes
|
48
|
38
|
21
|
Diocesan priests
|
73
|
72
|
53
|
Religious priests
|
15
|
38
|
7
|
Men religious
|
15
|
332
|
71
|
Women religious
|
299
|
667
|
348
|
* The data refer to the Pontifical Yearbook 2018.
Appointment of bishop of Barinas, Venezuela
The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of Barinas, Venezuela, H.E. Msgr. Jesús Alfonso Guerrero Contreras, O.F.M. Cap., currently bishop of Machiques.
H.E. Msgr. Jesús Alfonso Guerrero Contreras, O.F.M. Cap.
H.E. Msgr. Jesús Alfonso Guerrero Contreras, O.F.M. Cap., was born in La Pedregoza, archdiocese of Mérida, on 13 January 1951. He obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Central University of Caracas and attended specialization courses in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome.
He gave his religious vows on 15 August 1977, and was ordained a priest on 10 December 1977. Since his priestly ordination he has served as formator of the Capuchin Vocation Centre in Caracas, teacher in the seminary of Caracas, parish vicar in Mérida, teacher at the Institute of Theology for the religious of Caracas, director of philosophy, parish priest in Mérida, professor of the seminary of Mérida, director of theology at the Institute of Theology for the religious and professor at the “Andrés Bello” Catholic University of Caracas.
On 16 December 1995 he was appointed as titular bishop of Leptimino and apostolic vicar of Caroní. He received episcopal consecration on 20 January 1996. On 9 April 2011 he was appointed as first bishop of Machiques.
