Archbishop of Toamasina
Desiré Tsarahazana was born on June 13, 1954, in Amboagibe-Sambava, in the Archdiocese of Antsiranana. He studied at the "St. Jean" Minor Seminary in Antsiranana and the "St. Paul" Minor Seminary in Mahajanga. He pursued studies in philosophy and theology at the Ambatoroka Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Antananarivo. He was ordained a priest on September 28, 1986. He held the following positions: Vicar of the Mananara-Nord pastoral district (1988–89); Rector of the Archdiocesan Propaedeutic Seminary, as well as educator and teacher at the "St. Jean" Minor Seminary; coordinating secretary for the priests of Antsiranana; and Gendarmerie chaplain (1990–99). Since 2000, he has been pursuing further training and specialization in theology at the Catholic University of Lyon (France) with a view to obtaining a doctorate.