Resignation and succession of bishop of Meru, Kenya
Erection of the diocese of Baturité, Brazil, and appointment of the first bishop
Resignation and succession of bishop of Meru, Kenya
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Meru, Kenya, presented by Bishop Salesius Mugambi.
He is succeeded by Bishop Jackson Murugara, I.M.C., until now coadjutor bishop of the same diocese.
Erection of the diocese of Baturité, Brazil, and appointment of the first bishop
The Holy Father has erected the diocese of Baturité, Brazil, with territory taken from the metropolitan archdiocese of Fortaleza, making it a suffragan of the same metropolitan see.
The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Luís Gonzaga Silva Pepeu, O.F.M. Cap., until now emeritus of Vitória da Conquista, as first bishop of the diocese of Baturité, Brazil, conserving his personal title of Archbishop.
Curriculum vitae
Archbishop Luís Gonzaga Silva Pepeu, O.F.M. Cap., was born on 18 February 1957 in Caruaru, in the diocese of the same name, in the State of Pernambuco. He carried out his studies in philosophy and theology at the Seminary of the Capuchin Friars in Nova Veneza-SP. He was awarded a licentiate and a doctorate in canon law, from the Catholic University of America in Washington, United States of America, and the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome, respectively.
He gave his religious vows in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin in 1978, and received priestly ordination on 8 December 1982.
He has held the following offices: Master of Novices, vocational promotor, provincial bursar, parish administrator, parish priest, provincial vicar and then minister, director of students of philosophy and theology, president of the Conference of Capuchins of Brazil, guardian of the General Curia of the Capuchins in Rome, and professor of canon law.
On 13 June 2001 he was appointed bishop of Afogados da Ingazeira, and received episcopal ordination the following 6 October. On 11 June 2008 he was appointed metropolitan archbishop of Vitória da Conquista, and on 9 October 2019 the Holy Father accepted his resignation.
Within the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, he has served as moderator of the Ecclesiastical Tribunal of the Nordeste 2 Region, president of the Nordeste 3 Region, member of the Episcopal Commission for the Brazil-Holy See Agreement, member of the Permanent Council and member of the Episcopal Commission for Ecclesiastical Tribunals of Second Instance.
Statistical Data
The territory of the new diocese of Baturité is made up of the following civil muncipalities: Acarape-CE, Aracoiaba-CE, Aratuba-CE, Barreira-CE, Baturité-CE, Canindé-CE, Caridade-CE, Guaramiranga-CE, Mulungu-CE, Pacoti-CE, Ocara-CE, Palmácia-CE, Paramoti-CE, and Redenção-CE.
1. The statistical data of the new diocese of Baturité are as follows:
Area:
|
|
7,072 km²
|
Population:
|
|
298,221
|
Catholics:
|
|
205,770
|
Parishes:
|
|
21
|
Diocesan priests:
|
|
28
|
Religious priests:
|
|
11
|
Permanent deacons:
|
|
1
|
Seminarians:
|
|
6
|
Professed religious:
|
|
10
|
Religious sisters:
|
|
31
|
2. The statistical data of the metropolitan archdiocese of Fortaleza following dismemberment are as follows:
Area:
|
|
8,099 Km²
|
Population:
|
|
3,823,570
|
Catholics:
|
|
2,638,260
|
Parishes:
|
|
124
|
Diocesan priests:
|
|
280
|
Religious priests:
|
|
176
|
Permanent deacons:
|
|
63
|
Seminarians:
|
|
91
|
Professed religious:
|
|
228
|
Religious sisters:
|
|
494
|
