RIP: 30/07/2024 - Rennes (France)
Fr. Vincent Ngoie Mitenga was born on 17 November 1958 at Kolwezi. He went to primary school at Manika, in Kolwezi, and did his secondary studies at the minor seminary of Kanzenze. In 1976 he departed to Bukavu for his preparation for university studies and in 1978 he started at the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Lubumbashi his higher studies in mathematics and physics, which he concluded in 1982. From 1983 until 1985 he taught at the Umoja Secondary School of Kolwezi. Then he decided to join the Society. After a period of candidature at Musonoie, he entered into the novitiate in Namiungo (Tanzania), where he professed his first religious vows on 8 September 1987. He studied Philosophy and Theology in the John XXIII scholasticate of the Franciscans in Kolwezi. He ended his initial formation being ordained a priest on 3 October 1992. One year later, he was sent to Fribourg in Switzerland for further studies, obtaining a master’s degree in biblical studies. From 2003 until 2009 he worked in formation as a formator and rector at the Salvatorian Scholasticate in Tshabula and teaching at Franciscan Institute in Kolwezi. From 2005 until 2009, he combined his teaching activity with pastoral service in the Salvatorian Parish nearby. In 2010 he was sent as a missionary to Comoros Islands, where he worked in different parishes as parochial vicar and parish priest and served internally as the community’s superior. Despite his weak health, Fr. Vincent tried always to give the best of himself, in and outside of the community, wherever he was serving. While travelling in France, he had to be admitted to the hospital of Rennes, where he suddenly died on 30 July 2024. His remains were interred in the presence of the Archbishop of Lubumbashi, Mons. Fulgence Muteba and the Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of the Comoros, Mons. Charles Mahuza SDS, and of many confreres, religious, family and friends, after being transferred from France to Congo, in the Kafubu cemetery in the Sakania-Kipushi diocese. Fr. Vincent was 65 years old and had been professed for 36 years.
