Vatican names Ituri bishop as administrator of Kisangani

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000112 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SOCI PGOV CG UG SUBJECT: Vatican names Ituri bishop as administrator of Kisangani archdiocese Ref: 07 Kinshasa 1351 ¶1. Recently-appointed Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo of Kinshasa (reftel) informed clergy prior to departing his former archdiocese of Kisangani that the Vatican had appointed Bishop Marcel Utembi Tapa as diocesan administrator until Pope Benedict XVI appoints a new archbishop, Monuc's Radio Okapi reported January 29. Utembi, 43, is Bishop of Mahagi-Nioka in Orientale Province's war-torn Ituri District, where he is has gained a reputation for courage in working to resolve tribal conflicts. ¶2. Utembi has played a prominent role in peace initiatives aimed at supporting development of sustainable solutions by Ituri's population. He has summoned military commanders for dialogue and played host to major national figures and as well as foreign diplomats. He has been actively engaged in these initiatives with other Congolese bishops in Ituri, as well as Ugandan bishops of neighboring dioceses of Arua, Nebbi, Ohima and Kasese in advocacy for peace. ¶3. Comment: It is too early to predict Utembi's chances of being named archbishop in Kisangani; his appointment as administrator dates to January 6. Kisangani is Congo's second most-important diocese after Kinshasa, and Utembi is relatively young. Although tribalism is not so profound a problem in Kisangani as elsewhere, his conflict resolution background may serve him well in the new post. End comment. GARVELINK