OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, JUN 30, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands, U.S.A., presented by Bishop Elliot G. Thomas. in accordance with Canon 401, para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law. He is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop George V. Murray S.J.

Yesterday, June 29, it was made public that the Holy Father:

- Appointed Bishop Roger Pirenne C.I.C.M. of Batouri, Cameroon, as archbishop of Bertoua (area 26,041, population 201,794, Catholics 63,134, priests 29, religious 68), Cameroon. The archbishop-elect was born in Clermont sur Berwinne, France, in 1934 and ordained a priest in 1958. He succeeds Archbishop Lambertus Johannes van Heygen C.S.Sp., whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same archdiocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

- Appointed Fr. Leo Cornelio S.V.D., member of the General Council of the Verbites in Rome, as bishop of Khandwa (area 24,000, population 2,910,000, Catholics 28,400, priests 55, religious 265), India. The bishop-elect was born in Kukkunje, India, in 1945 and ordained a priest in 1972.

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