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Franciscan Capuchin Representing Lusophone Africa Appointed Bishop in Guinea Bissau, Pledges to Serve “wholeheartedly”

Jude Atemanke

By Jude Atemanke

Bafatá, 09 March, 2025 / 8:52 pm (ACI Africa).

Pope Francis has appointed Mons. Victor Luís Quematcha, the representative of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) in Portuguese Speaking Africa (Lusophone Africa) as Definitor General, as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bafatá in Guinea-Bissau.

The appointment of Mons. Quematcha for the Catholic Diocese of Bafatá that has been vacant since March 2021 with the passing on of Bishop Pedro Carlos Zilli, was made public by the Holy See Press Office on Saturday, March 8.

In a remark issued shortly after his appointment, the Bishop-elect says, “It has been God's will, through the Church and in the person of the Holy Father, for whom we pray for his health, to call me today to the service of the Church in Bafatá.”

He adds, “I confess that when I received the news, I felt overwhelmed with fear and trembling. But, trusting in the help from on high and in the action of the Holy Spirit, like Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, I said that God's will be done in me.”

“For this reason, I place myself wholeheartedly and with great humility at the service of our people and the Church,” Mons. Quematcha says in his March 8 message.

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Recognizing the legacy of his predecessors, Bishop Settimio Arturo Ferrazzetta and Bishop Zilli, Mons. Quematcha underscores his commitment to continuing the evangelization efforts initiated by missionaries. 

He also calls for prayers for all Missionaries, Priests, and Women and Men Religious who have served in the Diocese and for those who have passed away.

In his note, Mons. Quematcha extends his gratitude to Fr. Lucio Brentogani, for “serving our Local Church with love and dedication over the last four years as Diocesan Administrator.”

“I greet and thank each of you for the service you give to our people and our Church with love, dedication and much sacrifice,” he adds.

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Mons. Quematcha implores, “I place myself under the protection of Our Lady of Grace and St. Francis of Assisi, to serve our particular Church with total selflessness, love and dedication. May God bless our nation and our Diocese.”

Born in April 1967 in Cúmura in the Catholic Diocese of Bissau, the Bishop-elect was ordained a Priest in  May 1998 in Nhoma, Guinea Bissau.

As a Priest, Mons. Quematcha served as as deputy master of novices in Dapaong, Togo and Rector of the St. Kizito Minor Seminary in Guinea Bissau. 

The holder of a licentiate in Moral Theology from the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy in Rome went on to serve as professor of moral theology in the Bishop Settimo Arturo Ferrazetta Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Bissau, master of temporary professed in Brá, custodian of the Custody of Saint Francis of Assisi for Guinea Bissau.

He also served as Parish Priest of the Our Lady of Candelaria Cathedral of Bissau Diocese, and director of the Mal-de-Hansen Hospital in Cúmura.

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Once ordained Bishop, Mons. Quematcha is to served as the second Local Ordinary of Bafatá Diocese which measures 24,635 square kilometers with an estimated population of 827,700, Catholics numbering 35,550, according to 2023 statistics.

Jude Atemanke

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.