Resignation and succession of archbishop of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, presented by Archbishop Fulgence Rabemahafaly. He is succeeded by Archbishop Jean Nicolas Rakotojaona, until now coadjutor archbishop of the same archdiocese.

Curriculum vitae

Archbishop Jean Nicolas Rakotojaona was born on 18 January 1973 in Anosy Avaratra. He was ordained a priest on 3 August 2002 for the archdiocese of Antananarivo.

After ordination he first held the role of parish vicar in the district of Ihazolava (2002-2004). He was awarded a master’s degree in philosophy of religion from the Université Catholique de Madagascar, and went on to serve as vicar in Andohatapenaka and Ampefiloha (2004-2006), rector of the Victoire Rasoamanarivo Preparatory Seminary, professor of social doctrine of the Church at the Higher Institute of Technology in Antananarivo and of philosophy at the minor seminary (2006-2009), and parish priest of Ambanidia (2009-2011). After obtaining a doctorate in theology from the Université de Fribourg, Switzerland (2011-2017), he held the offices of vice rector (2017-2018) and rector (2018-2023) of the Saint Paul Apôtre Major Seminary of Philosophy.

He was elected titular bishop of Dragonara and auxiliary of Morondava on 19 May 2023, and received episcopal ordination on 2 July of the same year. On 25 October 2025 he was appointed coadjutor archbishop of Fianarantsoa.

He is currently co-president of the Episcopal Commission for the Lay Apostolate (CEPAL).