Placido Hilukilwa
THE countdown is on. In ten days’ time, Rundu in the Kavango East Region will host a historic moment for Namibia’s Catholic Church as Father Linus Ngenomesho is ordained bishop.
Appointed by Pope Leo XIV on 11 May this year to head the Catholic Vicariate of Rundu, Ngenomesho’s consecration is expected to draw Catholics from across the country.
The ordination comes just a month before his 57th birthday.
The prelate hails from Omatando village near Ongwediva in the Oshana Region.
He studied philosophy and theology at a Catholic seminary in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and was ordained a priest on 26 January 2002.
In his priestly ministry, Ngenomesho served in various roles. He was President of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) Region for Africa and Madagascar from 2010 to 2016, and Secretary General of the Namibian Catholic Bishops’ Conference from 2016 to 2020.
He was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu in 2020, following the retirement of Bishop Joseph Shipandeni Shikongo, and served in that capacity until his appointment as bishop.
PICTURED: Father Linus Ngenomesho, who will be ordained bishop in Rundu on 18 July. Photo: Contributed
