Libère Pwongo Bope

Libère Pwongo Bope (born 21 May) is a Congolese Catholic prelate who serves as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Basankusu, in the Ecclesiastical Metropolitan Province of Mbandaka-Bikoro in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, since 11 November 2023. Before that, from 4 January 1992 until he was appointed bishop, he was a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Congo. He was appointed bishop on 11 November 2023 by Pope Francis. He was consecrated and installed at Basankusu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on 16 December 2023.

Background and education He was born on 21 May 1964 in Mweka, Diocese of Mweka, Kasaï Province, in the DR Congo. He studied philosophy at the Saint André Kaggwa Major Seminary in Kinshasa. He then studied theology at the Saint Jean XXIII Major Seminary, also in Kinshasa. He holds a Licentiate in philosophy obtained in Kinshasa, where he studied from 1991 until 1993. From 2007 until 2013, he studied at the Institut Catholique de Paris, where he graduated with a Doctorate in philosophy.

Priest He was ordained a priest on 4 January 1992 for the archdiocese of Kinshasa. He served as priest until 11 November 2023.

While a priest, he served in various roles and locations including as: He was consecrated and installed at Basankusu, on 16 December 2023 by the hands of Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, Archbishop of Kinshasa assisted by Archbishop Ernest Ngboko Ngombe, Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro and Bishop Joseph Mokobe Ndjoku, Bishop Emeritus of Basankusu.