Africa: Heads of Mission Societies Named for Sierra Leone, Gambia, Kenya

Vatican - The Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Cardinal Ivan Dias, has appointed two new national directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies for Kenya and Sierra Leone and Gambia for five years.

Fr Henry Aruna of the Diocese of Kenema, Sierra Leone, will head PMS in his country and the Gambia. He was born August 2, 1964, and ordained a priest in 1993. Fr Aruna earned a Masters in Education Studies and a licentiate in Philosophy from the Pontifical Urban University.

He taught philosophy in the Major Seminary of Makeni and is currently Dean of the Major Seminary St. Paul, of Freetown.

Cardinal Dias also appointed Fr Celestino Bundi of Meru Diocese, PMS director for Kenya. He replaces Consolata missionary, Fr Eugene Ferrari. Fr Bundi was born February 26, 1969. He studied philosophy and theology at Christ the King Major Seminary and was ordained a priest on December 24, 1999.

He has served as assistant pastor in the parishes of Mikinduri (2000) and Kangeta (2001), and later as pastor in Kangeta (2002). He has also served as: Diocesan Coordinator of the Pontifical Mission Societies, Member of the Diocesan Council of Priests, and President of the Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the metropolitan region of Nyeri.