Joseph Mopepe Ngongo
Joseph Mopepe Ngongo is a Congolese Catholic prelate who was appointed the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Molegbe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 25 April 2025. Before that, from 19 March 1995 until he was appointed bishop, he was a priest of the Diocese of Molegbe, in the Catholic Archdiocese of Mbandaka-Bikoro. He was appointed bishop on 25 April 2025 by Pope Francis. His consecration and installation at Molegbe took place on 6 July 2025.
Background and education
He was born on 15 July 1966 in Gemena, diocese of Molegbe, Nord-Ubangi, Democratic Congo. He studied at the Saint François d’Assise Preparatory Seminary of Katokoli. He studied philosophy at the Saint Jean-Baptiste Major Seminary of Bamanya. He then entered the Université Catholique du Congo in Kinshasa, where he studied theology. In 2011 he began his studies for a doctorate in France. He returned to the DRC in 2024 to conclude his doctoral studies at the Catholic University of the Congo.Priest
He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Molegbe on 19 March 1995. He served as a priest until 15 April 2025.While a priest, he served in various roles and locations including:
- Studies at Université Catholique du Congo leading to the award of a licentiate in theology from the 1995 until 1997.
- Formator of the Saint Pierre et Saint Paul Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Lisala from 1997 until 2002.
- Rector of the Saint Pierre et Saint Paul Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Lisala from 2002 until 2011.
- Started studies leading to a doctorate degree in France in 2011
- Vicar of the Notre Dame Saint Jacques Cathedral in Reims, France from 2011 until 2021.
- Moderator of the parishes of the Espace missionnaire Sedan-Yvois from 2021 until 2024.
- Chaplain of the Equipes du Rosaire of the metropolitan archdiocese of Reims from 2021 until 2024.
- Studies at the Catholic University of the Congo leading to conclusion of doctorate degree since 2024.