Cardinal-designate Nzapalainga will be youngest
Cardinal
At the age of 49,
Cardinal-designate Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui will become the youngest in
the College Cardinals.
Pope Francis has named 17 new
cardinals from 11 different countries. Three of the Cardinals to be created are
from within the African territory: Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui
in the Central African Republic (CAR) will become the first ever Cardinal from
CAR. He belongs to the Missionary Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers
(Spiritans). The second Cardinal-designate from Africa is Bishop Emeritus
Sebastian Koto Khoarai of Mohale's Hoek in Lesotho. The third, Archbishop
Maurice Piat of Port-Louis on the island of Mauritius is also a member of the
Missionary Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers.
The Pope made the
announcement Sunday during the Angelus in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
Pope Francis will elevate the
new Cardinals on 19 November, during the vigil marking the conclusion of the
Jubilee Year of Mercy that falls on Sunday, 20 November, on the Solemnity of
Christ the King.
At the age of 49,
Cardinal-designate Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui will become the youngest in
the College of Cardinals. He takes the slot that was held by Soane Patita Paini
Cardinal Mafi of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean. The latter turns 55 on 19 December
2016.
Cardinal-designate Nzapalainga
is known in CAR as a defender of peace.
After his ordination to the
priesthood in 1998, Fr. Nzapalainga ministered in Marseilles, France as a
chaplain at the St. Francis de Sales house and at the Parish of St. Jerome. He
returned to CAR from France in 2005. A year later, he was elected the Regional
Superior for the Spiritans.
The Cardinal-designate became
the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Bangui following the
resignation of Archbishop Paulin Pomodimo in 2009. He was ordained Archbishop
in July 2012.
Cardinals have the unique
role of gathering in the secret conclave to elect a new Pope. They are also
close advisors to the Pope.
(Email:engafrica@vatiradio.va)
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