São Tomé, 14 July, 2022 / 9:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Manuel António Mendes dos Santos of the Catholic Diocese of São Tomé and Príncipe in the African island nation close to the equator.
The acceptance of the resignation of the 62-year-old Bishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in São Tomé and Principe Diocese in March 2007 was published by the Holy See Press office on Wednesday, July 13.
Bishops are expected to submit their respective letters of retirement at the age of 75. Compelling reasons such as “ill-health or other grave problems” justify the offering of such a letter of resignation.
The Holy See Press Office report does not give reason for the resignation of the successor of Bishop Abílio Rodas de Sousa Ribas who had been at the helm of the Diocese since February 1985.
Bishop António was ordained a Priest in the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) in June 1985.