By Paschal Norbert
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 5, 2026 (CISA) – Pope Leo XIV has appointed Msgr. Jeannot Martial Andrianandrainy, a priest of the Diocese of Antsirabé, currently Vicar General of the same Diocese, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Morondava in Madagascar, assigning him the titular see of Elephantaria in Mauritania. The appointment was announced by the Holy See Press Office on June 3.
Born on January 13, 1976, in Befelatanana, Madagascar, Bishop-elect Andrianandrainy pursued his philosophical studies at the Seminary of Manantenasoa and theological formation at the Major Seminary of Faliarivo. He later obtained a Licentiate in Spiritual Theology from the Studium Notre-Dame de Vie in Avignon, France, and a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from the Collège des Bernardins in Paris. He also undertook specialized formation for seminary formators in Avignon.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Antsirabé on August 1, 2009.
Throughout his priestly ministry, Bishop-elect Andrianandrainy has held several key pastoral and administrative responsibilities within the Diocese of Antsirabé. Shortly after his ordination, he served as an educator at the Preparatory Seminary of Manantenasoa from 2009 to 2011. Since 2019, he has served as Rector of the same institution, overseeing the formation of future priests.
His leadership was further recognized when he was appointed Diocesan Administrator from 2022 to 2023, guiding the Diocese during a period of transition. Since 2023, he has been serving as Vicar General of Antsirabé, assisting in the governance and pastoral administration of the Diocese. The bishop-elect will assist the Ordinary of the Diocese of Morondava, Bishop Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina, OCD, in the pastoral care and administration of the local Church. Drawing on his extensive experience in priestly formation, diocesan governance, and theological education, Bishop-elect Andrianandrainy is expected to support the Diocese’s evangelizing mission and pastoral outreach among the faithful on Madagascar’s western coast.
