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NEW SVD BISHOP
Msgr Gabriel Edoe Kumordji

See Also: Msgr Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, Bishop of Donkorkrom

At noon today, January 19, 2010, Vatican Radio announced that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has raised the status of the Apostolic Prefecture of Donkorkrom to Apostolic Vicariate and has named our confrere, Fr. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji SVD, the first Apostolic Vicar with Episcopal character.

Mons. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji SVD

Fr. Kumordji is currently the Apostolic Prefect of the Donkorkrom Prefecture. Prior to that Fr. Kumordji was appointed Provincial of the Ghana province in March 2005. He was also the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the AFRAM Zone. Ghana was the Bishop-elect’s first mission assignment. He held several responsibilities in formation work among them are: Prefect of Blessed Freinademetz Formation House (1998-2001) and Secretary of Formation of the AFRAM Zone (1999). Fr. Kumordji did his MA in Pastoral Studies in Loyola University in Chicago and his Doctorate in Missiology at the Fuller Theological Seminary in Los Angeles.

Biographical Data:

• Date of birth: March 24, 1956
• Place of birth: Accra, Diocese of Accra, Ghana
• Parents: Leonardo and Severina Kumordji
• Entrance to the Society: September 1976 in Tamale
• Novitiate: September 15, 1979 in Nkwatia-Kwahu
• First Vows: September 8, 1980 in Koforidua
• Perpetual Vows: September 8, 1984 in Accra
• Ordination: July 14, 1985 in Accra
• First assignment: GHA

The Prefecture of Donkorkrom was created by Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on June 12, 2007 with territory taken from the diocese of Koforidua. The territory of the Apostolic Prefecture of Donkorkrom includes the civil district of Donkorkrom, situated in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It has an area of 4,285sq km and a population of 136,000 including 12,000 Catholics (8,8%), gathered in 3 parishes served by 7 SVD missionaries, 6 Sisters (SspS) and 102 catechists. The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI then appointed Rev. Father Gabriel Edoe Kumordji as the first Apostolic Prefect of Donkorkrom. We share the joy of our confrere over his appointment as the Apostolic Vicar of Donkorkrom. By naming our confrere to the Episcopal Ministry, the Holy Father and the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples have once again expressed the confidence of the Holy See in our Society.

The pastoral service that will be assumed by Bishop-elect Mons. Kumordji will not be easy. He needs our prayers and support. May the Holy Spirit assist Mons. Kumordji so that he continues to radiate the “goodness and kindness of God” through his life and work (cfr. Prologue of the Constitutions).

Antonio M. Pernia, SVD
Superior General

See Also: Msgr Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, Bishop of Donkorkrom