- Feb 5, 2002
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The Vatican Dicastery for Evangelizationhas suspended the formation of seminarians in the Diocese of Wamba in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing a “difficult ecclesial environment,” which it says undermines priestly training.
In a letter issued Oct. 7, the apostolic administrator of the Congolese episcopal see, Bishop Sosthène Ayikuli Udjuwa, informed the seminarians of the dicastery’s decision, alluding to the challenge of transition.
The Wamba Diocese has been experiencing a leadership crisis since the January 2024 appointment of Bishop Emmanuel Ngona Ngotsi as its local ordinary. Although he was ordained a bishop in the Congolese capital city, Kinshasa, Ngotsi has yet to take canonical possession of his episcopal see amid opposition from some members of the clergy and laity who insist that the diocese should be led by a native of the region.
In the Oct. 7 letter, Ayikuli, who also leads the Mahagi-Nioka Diocese, said the Dicastery for Evangelization has noted that the “formation of future priests in such a difficult ecclesial environment would be entirely inappropriate and has therefore ordered its suspension until further notice.”
“Therefore, the dicastery has decided that seminarians who wish to continue their priestly formation may contact other bishops who are willing to receive them after proper discernment,” Ayikuli said.
Continued below.
www.catholicnewsagency.com
In a letter issued Oct. 7, the apostolic administrator of the Congolese episcopal see, Bishop Sosthène Ayikuli Udjuwa, informed the seminarians of the dicastery’s decision, alluding to the challenge of transition.
The Wamba Diocese has been experiencing a leadership crisis since the January 2024 appointment of Bishop Emmanuel Ngona Ngotsi as its local ordinary. Although he was ordained a bishop in the Congolese capital city, Kinshasa, Ngotsi has yet to take canonical possession of his episcopal see amid opposition from some members of the clergy and laity who insist that the diocese should be led by a native of the region.
In the Oct. 7 letter, Ayikuli, who also leads the Mahagi-Nioka Diocese, said the Dicastery for Evangelization has noted that the “formation of future priests in such a difficult ecclesial environment would be entirely inappropriate and has therefore ordered its suspension until further notice.”
“Therefore, the dicastery has decided that seminarians who wish to continue their priestly formation may contact other bishops who are willing to receive them after proper discernment,” Ayikuli said.
Continued below.
Vatican halts seminary formation in DR Congo diocese ‘until further notice’
The Dicastery for Evangelization suspended the formation of seminarians in a diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing a “difficult ecclesial environment.”
www.catholicnewsagency.com
