“I cannot be a Bishop without you”: Bishop-elect for Guinea-Bissau’s Bafatá Diocese Calls for Collaboration

Reflecting on his own spiritual journey, Mons. Quematcha testified to the protective presence of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary throughout his life. 

“Despite challenges, the Virgin Mary will always intercede for us and God will always accompany us,” he said. 

The late Pope Francis appointed Mons. Quematcha as the Bishop of Bafatá Diocese on March 8. 

The Bissau-Guinean Episcopal See has been vacant since March 2021 following the passing on of Bishop Pedro Carlos Zilli. 

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.

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As a Priest, Mons. Quematcha served as OFM Cap. Assistant Novice Master in Dapaong, Togo, and Rector at St. Kizito Minor Seminary in Guinea-Bissau. 

The holder of a licentiate in Moral Theology from the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy in Rome also served as lecturer of moral theology at Bishop Settimo Arturo Ferrazetta Inter-diocesan Major Seminary in Bissau, master of OFM Cap. temporary professed members in Brá, and custodian of the OFM Cap. Custody of St. Francis of Assisi for Guinea-Bissau.

The Bissau-Guinean Bishop-elect 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.

Once ordained Bishop, Mons. Quematcha is to serve 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.

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.