Pope appoints new Bishops for dioceses in Zimbabwe and USA

By Vatican News

The Holy Father has appointed appointed Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro, until now Bishop of Gokwe, as the new Bishop of Gweru, Zimbabwe. The Bishop Nyandoro was born in Gweru in 1968 and was ordained a priest in 1998. He attended courses in philosophy from 1991 to 1994 in the St. Charles Lwanga major seminary of Chimanimani, Mutare, and completed his theological studies in Chishawasha, Harare.

In 2015 he obtained a PhD in pastoral counselling from the University of South Africa. He has held the following pastoral roles in the diocese of Masvingo: vicar in the Mukaru Mission (1999), administrator of the Cathedral (2000-2006), and rector of the minor seminary (2007-2009) and of the Bondolfi Teachers’ College (2010-2015). In 2015 he has served as chancellor of the diocese of Masvingo and professor at the Bondolfi Teachers’ College. He succeeded Bishop Angel Floro Martínez, I.E.M.E., as Bishop of Gokwe in 2017.  

Chicago

Pope Francis has also appointed Fathers Jeffrey Grob, Kevin Birmingham, and Robert J Lombardo, C.F.R., as auxiliary bishops for the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Chicago. The appointments were publicized today in Washington, D.C. by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Curriculum vitae of Father Jeffrey S. Grob

Bishop-elect Grob was born on 19 March 1961 in Madison, Wisconsin. He attended St. Francis Xavier Elementary School in Cross Plains, Wisconsin.  He entered the Seminary and studied at the Holy Name High School Seminary in Madison (1976-1980) and at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Saint Meinrad, Indiana (1980-1982).  He obtained his degree in Theology at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio (1985-1987).  He studied in the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, then at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota (1988), and then in the Archdiocese of Chicago at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois (1989-1992). He then obtained his Licentiate and Doctorate in Canon Law at Saint Paul's University in Ottawa, Canada (1997-2003).  

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on 23 May 1992.

After his ordination he carried out the following tasks: Parish Vicar of Saints Faith, Hope, and Charity Parish in Winnetka (1992-1998); Assistant to the Chancellor's Office (1994-2001); Deputy Vicar of the Office of Canon Services (2003-2008); Judge of the Court of Appeal of the Province of Chicago (2003-2009); Parish Priest of Saint Celestine Parish in Elmwood Park (2008-2013); Vicar of the Metropolitan Court (2013-2015); Chancellor (2015-2017); Foraneo Vicar of the Deanery VI-D (2008-2009) and Judicial Vicar (since 2017).

Curriculum vitae of Father Kevin M. Birmingham

Bishop-elect Kevin M. Birmingham was born on 10 October 1971 in Oak Lawn in the Archdiocese of Chicago (Illinois).  He attended state school from 1977 to 1989, then completed his ecclesiastical studies at Niles College Seminary and Loyola University in Chicago, where he obtained his degree in Philosophy (1989-1993).  He obtained his Master of Divinity at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein in the Archdiocese of Chicago (1993-1997).

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on 24 May 1997.

After his ordination he held the following positions: Vicar of Saint Benedict Parish in Blue Island (1997-2001) and Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Orland Park (2001-2005); Parish Priest of Saint Anne Parish in Hazel Crest (2005-2011) and of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Humboldt Park (2011-2014); Member of the Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board (2004) and of the Presbyteral Council (2008); Foraneo Vicar of the Deanery III-A (2013).  From 2014 until today he has been Administrative Secretary for Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Metropolitan Archbishop of Chicago.

Curriculum vitae of Father Robert J. Lombardo, C.F.R.

Bishop-elect Robert J. Lombardo, C.F.R. was born on 4 September, 1957 in Stamford in the Diocese of Bridgeport (Connecticut) and obtained his degree in Accounting from Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana (1975-1979). He subsequently obtained a Master of Divinity from Maryknoll School of Theology in Ossining, New York (1986-1990) and a Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York (1990).

In 1980 he entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, taking perpetual vows in 1986. He was a Missionary in Honduras and Bolivia (1984), serving with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Manhattan, New York (1985-1987) and Founder of Padre Pio Shelter for Homeless Men in the Bronx, New York (1987-1990). In 1987 he co-founded the community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (C.F.R.).

He was ordained a priest for the Religious Institute of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal on 12 May 1990 in St Patrick's Cathedral in the Archdiocese of New York.

After ordination he held the following positions: Founder and Director of Saint Anthony Residence (1990-2014) and Saint Anthony Shelter in the Bronx, New York (1993-2004); Director of Saint Anthony Free Dental/Medical Clinic in the Bronx (1998-2004) and Vicar of the Community (1999-2004). In Chicago he is Director of Our Lady of the Angels Mission Center (since 2005); Member of the Coalition for the Homeless in Chicago (2008-2010); Member of the Institute on Religious Life (2010). In 2010 he founded the community of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. From 2015 until today he has been Vicar Foraneo of the Deanery III-A.