KISANGANI, Congo, NOV. 28, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI continues to fill episcopal sees in Africa, just before his March visit to the continent and the synod on Africa.
Archbishop Marcel Utembi Tapa, 49, until now the bishop of Mahagi-Nioka, Congo, was appointed the archbishop of Kisangani.
Marcel Utembi Tapa was born in Luma, Congo, in 1959 and ordained a priest in 1984. He was made a bishop in 2002.
The Archdiocese of Kisangani, in north central Congo, has some 575,000 Catholics, served by 91 priests and 193 religious.
Father William Avenya, 53, of the clergy of Makurdi, Nigeria, was named an auxiliary bishop for that diocese, where he will assist Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh.
William Avenya was born in Ishangev Tiev, Nigeria, in 1955 and ordained a priest in 1981.
The Diocese of Makurdi has about 1.5 million Catholics, served by 157 priests and 163 religious.
