Pope Francis Appoints New Local Ordinary for Ziguinchor Catholic Diocese, Senegal

Mons. Valter Manga holds a licentiate in Biblical Theology from the Collège des Bernardins in Paris, France, and a doctorate in ethnology and anthropology from Paris’ École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS).

As a Priest, Mons. Valter Manga served as a teacher of mathematics and natural sciences at the Minor Seminary of Ziguinchor, chair of the Vocations Commission, and, parish Priest of Saint Benedict, Néma.

He also served as a lecturer and formator at the Major Seminary of Brin and the Assane Seck University of Ziguinchor, General Secretary of the Pastoral Office, and head of the Permanent Formation of Priests, among other responsibilities. 

Once Consecrated Bishop, Mons. Valter Manga will become the sixth Local Ordinary of the Senegalese Diocese that measures 7,339 km² with an estimated population of 143,693 Catholics, representing 21.7 percent of the total population, according to 2022 statistics.

The Diocese that was erected in April 1939 as Vicariate Apostolic of Dakar before being elevated to a Diocese in December 1999 is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Dakar.

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Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.