Christophe Zoa
Christophe Zoa | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Sangmélima, Cameroon | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Catholic Archdiocese of Yaoundé |
| See | Diocese of Sangmélima |
| Appointed | 4 December 2008 |
| Installed | 30 January 2009 |
| Predecessor | Simon-Victor Tonyé Bakot (23 January 1992 - 4 December 2008) |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Previous posts | Auxiliary Bishop of Yaounde (30 November 2006 - 4 December 2008) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 15 June 1991 by Jean Zoa |
| Consecration | 3 Febrruary 2007 by Simon-Victor Tonyé Bakot |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Christophe Zoa 10 June 1961 |
| Motto | "Love will never pass away" |
| Styles of Christophe Zoa | |
|---|---|
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | His Lordship |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Christophe Zoa (born 10 June 1961) is a Cameroonian Catholic prelate who serves as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sangmélima, in Cameroon since 4 December 2008. Before that, from 30 November 2006 until 4 December 2008, he was auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Yaoundé. While auxiliary bishop, he concurrently served as Titular Bishop of Hilta. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He was consecrated by Simon-Victor Tonyé Bakot, Archbishop of Yaoundé on 3 February 2007. On 4 December 2008, The Holy Father transferred him to the Catholic Diocese of Sangmélima, Cameroon. He was installed there on 30 January 2009.
Background and education
He was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon on 10 June 1961. He studied philosophy and theology at the Nkolbisison Major Seminary in Nkolbisson, Yaoundé. He continued his studies at the Catholic University of Central Africa at Yaoundé, where he graduated with a licentiate in Canon Law. Later, he earned a doctorate in the same subject from the Catholic Institute of Paris.[1]
Priesthood
Christophe Zoa was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Yaoundé on 15 June 1991 by Jean Zoa, Archbishop of Yaoundé. He served as a priest until 30 November 2006. While a priest, he served in various roles and locations, including:[1]
- Assistant priest in Yaoundé Archdiocese from 1991 1992.
- Parish priest in various parishes in the archdiocese from 1992 until 2000.
- Studies at the Université Catholique d'Afrique Centrale, in Yaoundé, leading to the award of a licentiate in a canon law from 1994 until 1997.
- Studies in Rome, Italy at the Catholic Institute of Paris, leading to the award of a doctorate in canon law from 2001 until 2005.
- Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Yaoundé from 2005 until 2006.[1]
As bishop
On 30 November 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Reverend Father Christophe Zoa, previously a member of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Yaoundé, as auxiliary bishop of the same Ecclesiastical Metropolitan Province. He was contemporaneously appointed Titular Bishop of Hilta.[1] He was consecrated on 3 February 2007 at Yaoundé by Simon-Victor Tonyé Bakot, Archbishop of Yaoundé assisted by Eliseo Antonio Ariotti, Titular Archbishop of Vibiana and Antoine Ntalou, Archbishop of Garoua.
On 4 December 2008, The Holy Father transferred Bishop Christopher Zoa, previously auxiliary bishop of Yaoundé, to the Diocese of Sangmélima, Cameroon. He was installed at Sangmélima on 30 January 2009.[2][3] He continues to serve as the local ordinary at Sangmélima.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Agenzia Fides (30 November 2006). "Africa/Cameroon: The Pope appoints new Auxiliary Bishop of Yaoundé". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Agenzia Fides (4 December 2008). "Africa/Cameroon: Bishop of Sangmelima resigns, successor appointed". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Zenit News Agency (4 December 2008). "Cameroon: Bishop Christophe Zoa new Bishop of Sangmélima" (Translated from the original French language). Zenit News Agency. New York City. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
- ^ Nathan Ndoumbe (28 April 2019). "Cameroon: The cathedral inaugurated in Sangmélima cost about 1.5 billion FCFA" (Translated from the original French language). Actu Cameroun. Yaoundé, Cameroon. Retrieved 14 March 2026.