Vatican — Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Fr. Theodorus van Ruijven C.M., apostolic prefect of Jimma-Bonga, Ethiopia, and apostolic administrator of Nekemte, Ethiopia, as apostolic vicar of Nekemte.

The Vicariate of Nekemte has 6.5 million people of whom 45,000 are Catholics, served by 32priests and 48 religious. The bishop-elect was born in Rijswijk, Holland in 1938 and ordained a priest in 1964.

At the same time the pope appointed Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu, apostolic nuncio to Angola and to Sao Tome and Principe, as apostolic nuncio to Cuba.

Source: Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)