Bernard Marie Fansaka Biniama

Bernard Marie Fansaka Biniama (born 29 June 1959) is a Congolese Catholic prelate who was the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Popokabaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 29 June 2020 until his resignation on 28 January 2026. Before that, from 21 June 1988 until he was appointed bishop, he was a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kenge. He was appointed bishop on 29 June 2020 by Pope Francis. He was consecrated as bishop and installed at Popokabaka, Democratic Congo on 23 August 2020. His resignation was accepted by Pope Leo XIV on 28 January 2026.

Background and education He was born on 29 June 1959 in Misay, Bandundu Province (today Kwango Province), Democratic Congo. He attended the Saint Charles Lwanga Minor Seminary in Katende for his secondary school education. He studied at the faculty of philosophy at the Saint Augustin Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Kalonda from 1980 until 1983. He transferred to the faculty of theology at the Saint Cyprien Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Kikwit. He holds a Licentiate in biblical theology, awarded by the Catholic University of the Congo in 1994. He obtained a Doctorate in the same subject, from the Catholic University of Central Africa, in Cameroon in 2001, having studied there since 19 98.

Priest On 21 February 1988, he was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kenge. He served as priest until 29 June 2020.

On 28 January 2026, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation letter submitted by Bishop Bernard Marie Fansaka Biniama from the pastoral care of the Diocese of Popokabaka. The Holy Father appointed the Reverend Abbot Cyrille Ikomba Mankelele to be Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until a suitable successor bishop is appointed.