“Be truly loving father to faithful without distinction”: Congolese Cardinal to New Bishop

Addressing himself to the members of the Clergy of Boma Diocese, the Cardinal urged collaboration and that under the leadership of their new Bishop, “face the troubled and deep waters of the mission” together.

“You are all in the same boat,” he said and continued, “There is room for camps with the Bishop on one side and the Diocesan Clergy on the other. You should form a true family.”

He encouraged the Clergy to be “attentive to discern in their Bishop the very authority of Christ, the supreme pastor. If you Live in obedience and perfect communion with him, the pastoral work for which each of you has given your life will bear much good fruit to the glory of God.”

Cardinal Ambongo urged the lay faithful of Boma to “welcome the new Bishop, help and support him, especially by taking care of your local church. Prioritize good deeds and actions that promote and work for the growth of your Diocese. Remain united around your Bishop.”

“May God, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, see to it that you, the people of God here in Boma, become true witnesses of the love that changes the face of the world and improves the lives of your brothers and sisters,” Cardinal Ambongo implored.

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The newly ordained Bishop succeeds Bishop Cyprien Mbuka who retired in March at the age of 77.

In his speech, Bishop Mbuka thanked God for sustaining him for the 20 years he shepherded the people of God in the Episcopal See. He acknowledged with appreciation the collaboration he received from all the personnel in the Congolese Diocese.

“My dear Bishop José-Claude Mbimbi Mbamba, I am very happy to see you begin your episcopal ministry surrounded by many brothers and sisters ready to offer you their support and encouragement. Be a true leader at the service of the people of God entrusted to you care,” Bishop Mbuka told his successor.

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Mbamba  as Local Ordinary of Boma on March 19.

Born in July 1962 in the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Bishop Mbamba was ordained a Priest of the Diocese of Boma in August 1988.

Since ordination, the holder of a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Tübingen in Germany served in various capacities, among them, Professor at the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary in Boma, Librarian and Vice-Rector at Abbé Ngidi Major Seminary for Philosophy, and Rector of the St. Augustine’s University in Kinshasa. 

In the Diocese of Boma where he was incardinated, the new Bishop served as the Personal Secretary of the Auxiliary Bishop, Priest-in-charge of the initial formation of Major Seminarians, and as the Diocesan Secretary and Chancellor.

From 2005-2012, Bishop Mbamba served in Germany’s Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart as a pastoral collaborator, Parish Vicar of Herrenberg, and Assistant of the local Italian community in the Diocese.

Prior to his appointment as the Rector of the Boma-based Major Seminary for Philosophy in 2014, the Bishop had been serving as a Professor at the same institution since 2012. 

He had also served as Episcopal Vicar for the Laity in the Diocese of Boma since 2014.

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In 2012, he published the book, “The phenomenology of the religion of the young Heidegger and its significance for theology: Contribution to the critique of African religiosity.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.