Pope Francis Accepts Retirement of Local Ordinary of Bata Diocese in Equatorial Guinea

Vatican, 10 December, 2024 / 8:18 PM

Pope Francis has accepted the retirement of Bishop Juan Matogo Oyan from the pastoral care of the Catholic Diocese of Bata in Equatorial Guinea.

The retirement of Bishop Oyan, who turned 75 on May 24 was made public on Tuesday, December 10, and published by the Holy See Press Office.

Catholic Bishops are expected to submit their respective letters of retirement at the age of 75. Compelling reasons such as “ill-health or other grave problems” also justify the submission of such a letter requesting resignation of the applicant is yet to turn 75.

Born in May 1949 in Nkué-Esandon, Bishop Oyan was ordained a Priest of the congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in December 1976 after completing his philosophical and theological studies.

In October 1991, he was appointed the Local Ordinary of the country’s  Ebebiyin Diocese, and Consecrated Bishop in St. Peter’s Basilica of the Diocese of Roma Italy in January 1992.

Bishop Oyan became the fourth Local Ordinary of Bata Diocese after succeeding the late Bishop Anacleto Sima Ngua, who had been at the helm of the Diocese since January 1983.

The Diocese of Bata, a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Malabo, was erected in August 1965 as Vicariate Apostolic of Río Muni before being elevated to a Diocese in May 1966.

The 6,681 square-kilometer Diocese has a population of 78,900 Catholics representing 69.2 percent of the total population in the Episcopal See, according to 2022 statistics.