Bishop of Kasongo
Placide Lubamba Ndjibu, M. Afr., was born on October 26, 1959, in the Diocese of Lubumbashi. After completing his primary (1972) and secondary (1979) education in Lubumbashi—earning a State Diploma in General Pedagogy—he began his religious formation with the White Fathers. He attended the Major Seminary of La Ruizizi in the Archdiocese of Bukavu (1982–1985) and subsequently completed his year of spirituality (novitiate) in Fribourg, Switzerland (1985–1986). He undertook his pastoral internship in the Diocese of Nouna-Dédougou, Burkina Faso (1986–1988), and finished his theology studies at the Catholic Institute of Toulouse, France (1988–1991). He was ordained a priest on July 27, 1991. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1991–1994: Parochial Vicar at Notre Dame des Champs Parish in the Archdiocese of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; 1994–1996: Studies in Journalism and Social Communications at the University of Fribourg; 1996–1998: Service on the editorial staff of the White Fathers' magazine *Vivant Univers* in Belgium; 1998–2002: Parochial Vicar and Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish in the Diocese of Manzeze, Tanzania; 2002–2007: Editor of the *KARIBU* bulletin in Bukavu and, concurrently, Chaplain of Wima High School and the Saio military camp in Bukavu; 2007–2010: Parish Priest of Sainte Bernadette Parish in Lubumbashi. Since September 1, 2010, he has resided in Bukavu, serving as the Provincial Superior of the White Fathers for Central Africa (Burundi, Rwanda, and the DR Congo).