Third Catholic Bishop of Inongo Diocese in DR Congo Dies at 86

Inongo, 07 November, 2024 / 8:06 PM

Bishop Philippe Nkiere Keana, the third Catholic Bishop of Inongo Diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has passed on after an illness. He was aged 86.

Bishop Nkiere died on Wednesday, November 6 at the Ngaliema Center Clinic in Kinshasa, the Local Ordinary of the Congolese Episcopal See, Bishop Donatien Bafuidinsoni Maloko-Mana, announced in a statement.

“I extend my condolences to the biological family of Bishop Philippe Nkiere, the members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO), the Fathers of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), the Clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Inongo, the members of Ekolo ya Bondeko" and all who knew him,” Bishop Bafuidinsoni says in the Thursday, November 7 statement shared with ACI Africa.

He adds, “While awaiting the funeral program, which will be communicated as soon as possible, let us remain united in prayer, entrusting the soul of our illustrious departed to the mercy of God the Father, that He may grant his good and faithful servant eternal happiness.”

Born on February 1938 in Bokoro, the late Bishop was ordained as a Priest in 1965.

He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Bondo Diocese in January 1992, becoming Bishop of the same Episcopal See in November 1992.

Bishop Nkiere was appointed Bishop of Inongo in 2005 and retired in 2018.