By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Joseph Mopepe Ngongo as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Molegbe in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Holy See Press Office announced the appointment on Tuesday, April 15.
Mons. Ngongo, a priest of the same diocese, is currently pursuing a doctorate in theology at the Catholic University of Congo (UCC) in Kinshasa. His elevation comes nearly two years after the Diocese became vacant following the early retirement of Bishop Dominique Bulamatari Kizayakana in August 2023. Bishop Bulamatari, who had led the Diocese since 2009, passed away in August 2024 at the age of 69.
Since the episcopal seat became vacant, Bishop Joseph-Bernard Likolo Bokal’Etumba of the Diocese of Lisala has served as Apostolic Administrator of Molegbe.
Born in July 1966 within the Diocese of Molegbe, Mons. Ngongo was ordained a priest in March 1995. He undertook philosophical studies at St. Jean-Baptiste Major Seminary in Bamanya and completed his theological formation at UCC. He holds a licentiate in theology from the same institution.
His pastoral and academic journey has included roles as formator and rector of the Saints Pierre et Paul Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Lisala. In 2011, he moved to France for doctoral studies, serving simultaneously as vicar of Notre Dame St. Jacques Parish in the Archdiocese of Reims. He also served as moderator of the parishes in the Espace missionnaire Sedan-Yvois and chaplain of the Equipes du Rosaire in the French Archdiocese.
Mons. Ngongo returned to the DRC in 2024 to continue his doctoral work at UCC.
In a congratulatory message following the announcement, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) extended warm wishes to the bishop-elect, expressing hope for a “fruitful ministry in the Church-Family of God in Molegbe.”
Upon his episcopal consecration, Bishop-elect Ngongo will become the eighth Local Ordinary of the Diocese of Molegbe, which covers an area of 79,000 square kilometers. As of 2023, the Diocese was home to approximately 948,728 Catholics—53.8% of the total population.
The Diocese of Molegbe, originally established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Belgian Ubanghi in January 1935, was elevated to a Diocese in November 1959. It belongs to the Ecclesiastical Province of Mbandaka-Bikoro.
