FEBRUARY 19, 2016(CISA) – Pope Francis has appointed Rev Fr Richard Kuuia Baawobr as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wa.
Until his appointment Fr Baawobr was the Superior General of the Society of the Missionaries of Africa.
His appointment was announced by Archbishop Jean Speich, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana in a statement.
Fr Baawobr succeeds Bishop Paul Bemile after Pope Francis accepted his resignation presented by in accordance with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law.
Fr Baawobr was born in June 21, 1959, at Tom-Zendagangn in the Ko Parish of the Wa Diocese in the Nandom District.
He had his primary education in his hometown, Tom-Zendagangn, from 1965 to 1972, and continued to the St Francis Xavier Minor Seminary from 1971 to 1977. He continued his secondary education at the Nandom Secondary School, and later joined the Society of Missionaries in 1981.
Fr Baawobr studied Theology at the Missionary Institute in London from 1982 to 1987. He also studied Biblical Exegesis and obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture and a Doctorate in Theology with specialisation in Biblical Theology.
The Bishop-elect took his missionary oath on December 5, 1986 at St Edward College, London in the United Kingdom (UK).
He has also served in various capacities, including Assistant Parish Priest in Kinshasa, DRC; Formator of Missionaries of Africa in Kanhangala, Tanzania; and Director of the Formation of House of the Missionaries of Africa in Toulouse, France.
