Bishop Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku

Name of the Bishop: H.E. Msgr. Melchisédech Sikuli Paluku. Born on January 27, 1952, in Kyuto/Butembo. Ordained a priest on August 21, 1978. Appointed Bishop of Butembo-Beni on May 16, 1998. Consecrated on August 2, 1998, by His Eminence Fiorenzo Cardinal Angelini. History: The Diocese of Butembo-Beni is geographically located in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the North Kivu province, straddling the Equator. It borders the dioceses of Wamba and Bunia to the north; the dioceses of Kasese and Fort-Portal (Uganda) to the east; the Archdiocese of Kisangani to the west; and the Diocese of Goma to the south. It is the fruit of the missionary zeal of the Fathers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who arrived there on September 24, 1906, under the leadership of Msgr. Gabriel Grison—at that time the Apostolic Vicariate of Stanley-Falls in the Oriental Province of the DRC. The Diocese of Butembo-Beni encompasses the greater part of the Beni and Lubero territories, portions of the Masisi and Mambasa territories, and the two cities of Butembo and Beni. Area: 45,000 km². Number of parishes: 61; quasi-parishes: 1.