Appointment of bishop of Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Orthasie Marcellin Merivonjilalaina, until now rector of the Philosophical Major Seminary of Toamasina, as bishop of the diocese of Ambatondrazaka, Madagascar.

Curriculum vitae

The Reverend Orthasie Marcellin Merivonjilalaina was born on 13 September 1979 in Morarano Chrome, Madagascar, in the diocese of Ambatondrazaka. After studying philosophy in Saint Paul Major Seminary and theology in the archepiscopal seminary of Reggio Calabria, he was awarded a licentiate in theology from the Pius XI Theological Institute and a master’s degree in bioethics and sexology in Messina.

He was ordained a priest on 21 January 2006 for the diocese of Ambatondrazaka.

After ordination, he first held the role of parish vicar of Santa Maria Maddalena in Campo Calabro, Italy (2006-2008). He was awarded a doctorate in Foundations and perspectives of a culture of unity from the Sophia University Institute in Loppiano, and went on to serve as parish vicar of Santa Maria Regina, Matassino, and San Miniato, Montanino (2011-2015), theology teacher at Saint Jean Marie Vianney Major Seminary, Moramango (2015-2021), and rector and prefect of studies at Saint François de Sales Major Seminary, Toamasina (since 2021).