Pope Francis Appoints Local Ordinary for São Tomé and Príncipe Diocese

São Tomé, 09 January, 2024 / 9:00 PM

Pope Francis has appointed a Local Ordinary for the Diocese of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Central African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The appointment of Mons. João de Ceita Nazaré was made public by the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday, January 9. 

Until his appointment, the member of the Clergy of São Tomé and Principe Diocese has been serving as the delegate of the Apostolic Administrator to the Episcopal See and the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Grace Cathedral of the São Toméan Diocese.

The Episcopal See has been vacant since July 2022 when Bishop Manuel António Mendes dos Santos, a member of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), resigned at the age of 62. 

Born in August 1973 in Trindade, São Tomé, Bishop-elect Nazaré was ordained a Priest in August 2006.

The holder of a licentiate in theology and Portuguese literature from the Catholic University of Portugal  and the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, respectively, also served as Vicar General of São Tomé and Principe Diocese, head of the diocesan Caritas and Radio Jubilar, and lecturer at the University of São Tomé and Principe.

Once he is Consecrated, Bishop-elect Nazaré will be at the helm of the 1,001 square kilometer Diocese that was established in November 1534 as the Diocese of Tomé from the Metropolitan See of Funchal, Portugal.