Resignation of bishop of Bururi, Burundi, and appointment of successor

Elevation to diocese of the territorial prelature of Cancún-Chetumal, Mexico, and appointment of first bishop

Resignation of bishop of Bururi, Burundi, and appointment of successor

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Bururi, Burundi, presented by Bishop Venant Bacinoni.

The Pope has appointed as bishop of the same diocese the Reverend Salvator Niciteretse, of the clergy of Burundi, currently secretary of the Episcopal Commission for the Lay Apostolate.

Reverend Salvator Niciteretse

The Reverend Salvator Niciteretse was born on 2 August 1958 in Rutwenzi, diocese of Bururi, and entered the minor seminary of Kanyosha (1975 to 1979). He obtained a humanistic diploma from the middle seminary of Bujumbura (1979 to 1982), and completed his bachelor’s degree in philosophy in the major seminary of Bujumbura (1982 to 1985), and in theology in the major seminary of Burasira (1985 to 1989). He was ordained a priest on 9 July 1989 for the diocese of Bururi.

Since priestly ordination he has held the following offices: parish vicar of Murago and parish priest of the same parish, and national chaplain of the Xaveri Movement (1989 to 1993); parish priest of the Cathedral of Bururi and diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (1993 to 1998); higher studies at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he was awarded a licentiate in pastoral theology and a doctorate in the social doctrine of the Church (1998 to 2002); secretary of the Episcopal Commission for the Lay Apostolate, professor at the Major Seminary of Gitega and of Kiryama; and African representative at the International Forum of Catholic Action.

Elevation to diocese of the territorial prelature of Cancún-Chetumal, Mexico, and appointment of first bishop

The Holy Father has elevated to the grade of diocese the territorial prelature of Cancún-Chetumal, Mexico, and has appointed Msgr. Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas, L.C., currently bishop prelate, as the first bishop of the new diocese.

Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas, L.C.

Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo Cárdenas, L.C., was born in San José de Gracia, diocese of Zamora, on 4 September 1949.

He entered the Apostolic School of the Legionaries of Christ in Mexico City, and completed his novitiate in Spain, giving his first vows on 26 November 1968.

He gave his perpetual vows in April 1974 and was ordained a priest on 24 December 1982.

He carried out his studies in philosophy at the Pontifical Gregorian University, and in theology at the Pontifical Saint Thomas Aquinas University in Rome.

From 1982 to 2001 he served as formator and master of novices of the Legionaries of Christ in the United States, Spain, Chile and Ireland. From 2001 to 2004 he was episcopal vicar in the territorial prelature of Cancún-Chetumal.

On 26 October 2004 he was appointed as bishop prelate of Cancún-Chetumal, and was ordained a bishop the following 22 November.