Resignation and appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Pointe-Noire, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Owando, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Resignation and appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Pointe-Noire, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Pointe-Noire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, presented by Archbishop Miguel Ángel Olaverri Arroniz, S.D.B.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Abel Liluala, until now parish priest of the Cathedral and judicial vicar of the archdiocese of Pointe-Noire, as metropolitan archbishop of Pointe-Noire, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Abel Liluala was born on 23 April 1964 in Cabinda, Angola, near Pointe-Noire. After attending the minor seminary of Tshela, in the diocese of Boma, he completed his studies in philosophy at the Saint André Kaggwa Major Seminary in Kinshasa. He studied theology first in the Major Seminary of the Sacred Heart in Luanda, Angola, and subsequently at the Emile Biayenda Major Seminary in Brazzaville. He was ordained a priest on 6 February 1994 for the archdiocese of Pointe-Noire. He was awarded a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical University of the Sacred Heart in Rome in 2010. He was also a member of the College of Consultors of Pointe-Noire. He has hitherto served as parish priest of the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle and judicial vicar of the archdiocese of Pointe-Noire.
Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Owando, Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Gélase Armel Kema, until now bishop of the diocese of Ouesso and apostolic administrator Sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the diocese of Owando.
Curriculum vitae
Bishop Gélase Armel Kema was born on 26 October 1972 in Ouesso.
He was ordained a priest on 29 August 1999.
After ordination, he held the offices of parish vicar (1999-2000) and parish priest of Saint Joseph Ouvrier in Mokéko (2000-2002), rector of the preparatory seminary of Ouesso (2002-2003), vicar general of the diocese (2002-2003), and parish priest of Sacré-Coeur de Jésus in Sembé (2003-2007). He was awarded a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome, and went on to serve as professor of canon law (2014-2021), and national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Republic of Congo (2018-2021). He was elected bishop of the diocese of Ouesso on 8 December 2021 and consecrated on 13 February 2022. Since 2023, he has served as apostolic administrator Sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of Owando.
