Joseph Sama
Joseph Sama is a Burkinabe Catholic prelate who was the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nouna, Burkina Faso from 14 April 2000 until his age-related retirement on 25 January 2025. Before that, from 12 July 1975 until 14 April 2000, he was a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Nouna. He was appointed bishop on 14 April 2000 by Pope John Paul II and was consecrated and installed at Nouna on 28 October 2000. He retired on 25 January 2025. He lives on as the Bishop Emeritus of Nouna, Burkina Faso
Background and education
He was born on 12 October 1947, at Dédougou, Apostolic Prefecture of Nouna, Burkina Faso. He studied philosophy and theology, at seminary before he was ordained a priest on 12 July 1975.Priesthood
On 12 July 1975 he was ordained a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nouna-Dédougou, Burkina Faso. He served in that capacity until 14 April 2000.As bishop
appointed him as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nouna on 14 Apr 2000. He was consecrated and installed at Nouna on 28 October 2000 by the hands of Bishop Zéphyrin Toé, Bishop of Dédougou assisted by Archbishop Jean-Marie Untaani Compaoré, Archbishop of Ouagadougou and Bishop Jean-Gabriel Diarra, Bishop of San. He has been active in helping school children who have been brutalized by religious zealots. "Supported by the Pontifical Mission Societies, the diocese offers education, faith, and community to help them rebuild their lives amidst hardship".On 25 January 2025, Pope Francis "accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Nouna, Burkina Faso, presented by Bishop Joseph Sama". The Holy Father appointed Guy Mukasa Sanon, of the clergy of Bobo-Dioulasso, as the new bishop of Nouna Catholic Diocese.