Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr. Francis Bomansaan, 62, as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wa. Francis Bomansaan becomes the second Bishop of the Diocese to come from the Missionaries of Africa, commonly known as White Fathers.
His predecessor Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, who was appointed in 2016 to replace Most Rev. Paul Bemile was also from the Missionaries of Africa.
News of Francis Bonmansaan’s appointed was announced by Rev. Monsignor Maher Chammas, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
The Wa Diocese has been in “sede vacante,” a term used to describe the state of a diocese without an installed bishop or archbishop.
Francis Bomansaan’s appointed comes a welcome relief and good news for the Wa Diocese where the Diocesan Priests are currently having their annual retreat.
The diocese had been without a bishop since the passing of His Eminence Richard Kuuia Cardinal Baawobr on November 27, 2022. In the absence of a bishop, Very Rev. Fr. Edward Tengan, the Diocesan Administrator led the diocese until his demise on August 3, 2023.
Ahead of the announcement today, notice was served that Msgr. Maher Chammas, Chargé d’Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature would visit the Diocese today to bring them news from the Nunciature.
Profile of Rev. Fr. Francis Bomansaan
Msgr. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., was born on 19 January 1962 in Kaleo, in the diocese of Wa. He entered the Society of the Missionaries of Africa in 1983, and carried out his religious and priestly formation in various countries. He gave his perpetual vows on 7 December 1990, and was ordained a priest on 27 July 1991.
He holds several diplomas, including those in Ignatian Spirituality, from the Jesuits Centre in Liverpool; in psycho-spirituality and counselling (M.A,) from Chicago; in spiritual counselling skills and community living, from the Saint Anselm Institute in London; and the Religious Formation Ministry Programme, from Loreto House, Dublin.
He has held the following offices: parish priest of the archdiocese of Mbeya, Tanzania (1991-1993), director of vocational animation and formator in Lublin, Poland (1995-1998), vocational director of the Missionaries of Africa in Ghana and first advisor to the provincial superior for Ghana and Nigeria (1999-2003), formator and bursar of Saint Edward College, London (2004-2005), provincial superior of the province of Ghana and Nigeria (2005-2011), master of novices at the International English Speaking Novitiate, Zambia (2012-2019), and head of the Addiction Rehabilitation Centre, Kenya (2021-2022). Since 2022 he has served as deputy superior general of the Missionaries of Africa.