Nzapalainga Dieudonné

Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, C.S.Sp., is the Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangui (Central African Republic). He was born on 14 March 1967 in Mbomou. He is the first Central African Cardinal and was the youngest member of the College of Cardinals at the time of his appointment. His training took place in seminaries in Central Africa, Cameroon and Gabon, followed by his vows in the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and his ordination to the priesthood on 9 August 1998. He completed his studies in France, obtaining a licence in theology, and served in Marseilles until 2005. Recalled to Central Africa, he held positions as Superior General and in the diocese. Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Bangui in 2009, he was chosen as Archbishop in 2012. He received episcopal ordination and the pallium from Pope Francis in 2013. He was also President of the Episcopal Conference. His pastoral service focuses on the search for peace and interreligious dialogue in a country in conflict. He is co-leader of the Interfaith Platform for Reconciliation and is internationally recognised for his commitment. The primary objective in his pastoral service from the beginning has been the search for peace in a country torn apart by political and economic oppositions, often passed off as conflicts between religions. Hence the effort to multiply gestures of collaboration and dialogue between believers, combined with the determination to denounce injustice and violence and to sustain the hope for authentic change. He is considered one of the most authoritative spiritual leaders in the country torn apart by civil war, where he is the protagonist – together with the President of the Central African Evangelical Alliance and the Imam President of the Islamic Council – of the inter-religious platform committed to fostering dialogue and reconciliation initiatives to put an end to the violence that continues to stain that land with blood. For this commitment he has received numerous international awards. But his greatest support came on 29 and 30 November 2015 from the visit of Pope Francis, who came to Bangui for the opening of the first Holy Door since the Year of Mercy Pope Francis created him a Cardinal in the Consistory of 19 November 2016. He is currently a Member of the Vatican Dicasteries for Evangelisation and Interreligious Dialogue