Émile Biayenda

Émile Biayenda (1927 – 23 March 1977) was the Archbishop of Brazzaville in Congo from 1971 to 1977 and was also a cardinal of the Catholic Church.

He was born in 1927 in Mpangala, Vindza. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1958 and was consecrated as a bishop in 1970. He was elevated to the cardinalate by Pope Paul VI in 1973. He was murdered in 1977.

His cause of canonization has commenced – he now has the title of Servant of God with the initiation of the cause in 1995 under Pope John Paul II.

Biography Birth Émile Biayenda was born in 1927 in Mpangala, Vindza.

Education Biayenda attended several institutions for education for his childhood studies and his studies for the priesthood.

Catholic Mission School at Kindamba, 1937–1942. Catholic Mission School at Bjoundi, 1942–1944. Minor Seminary of St. Paul at Mbamou, 1944–1950. Major Seminary of Brazzaville, 1950–1959. University of Lyon in France, 1966–1969.

During this time in France, he obtained a licentiate in sociology and in Catholic theology.

Church career He was ordained to the priesthood in 1958 and was later consecrated a bishop on 17 May 1970 by Cardinal Sergio Pignedoli. Biayenda was known for radical social views throughout his pastoral ministry. This was a contributing factor to his abduction and murder.

Beatification cause A cause for canonization was opened at the behest of Pope John Paul II via the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on 20 March 1995. He was granted the posthumous title of Servant of God as a result of the opening.

The diocesan process for the late cardinal's beatification spanned from 21 October 1996 and was finished on 14 June 2003. A historical commission was assigned to the cause and completed its work in 2014.