Pioneer Catholic Bishop of Alindao Diocese in CAR Dies at 85 after a Short Illness

Bangui, 21 October, 2024 / 9:40 PM

Bishop Peter Marzinkowski, the pioneer Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Alindao in the Central African Republic (CAR), has passed on aged 85 after an illness.

Bishop Marzinkowski died on Monday, October 21 in Germany, members of the Central African Episcopal Conference (CECA)  announced in a statement, expressing “deep sorrow and sadness”

“His death follows a short period of illness,” CECA members said in the statement.

They expressed their spiritual closeness and condolences to Bishop Cyr-Nestor Yapaupa, Bishop of Alindao, to the Diocese of Alindao and to the family of Bishop Marzinkowski.

The Catholic Church leaders invited the “whole Church-Family of God in Central Africa to prayer and recollection for the repose of his soul.”

Bornin March 1939 in Leipzig, Diocese of Breslavia (then Germany, today Poland), the late member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers) studied in Breslavia and in Rome at the Gregorian University. 

He entered the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers making his first profession in 1961 and perpetual profession in 1964. 

Late Bishop Marzinkowski was ordained a Priest in July 1968 and sent on mission to the Central African Republic.

He was appointed Bishop of Alindao Diocese in December 2004 where he retired in March 2014.