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AEC congratulates, welcomes new French Guiana bishop

The President of the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) has extended congratulations to the newly ordained Bishop Alain Ransay of Cayenne, French Guiana.

Bishop Ransay was ordained last Sunday by outgoing Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu in what is likely one of his final official duties as the Pope’s representative to the Antilles.

He was assisted by Archbishop David Macaire of Saint-Pierre and Fort-de-France, and Bishop Michel Marie Jacques Dubost CIM, Bishop Emeritus of Evry-Corbeil-Essonnes (France), Apostolic Administrator of Cayenne.

Bishop Ransay, who is fluent in French, Creole, English, and Spanish was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Saint-Pierre and Fort-de-France on December 27, 1992, in Sainte-Marie by then Archbishop Maurice Marie-Sainte.

AEC President Bishop Gabriel Malzaire of Roseau was unable to attend due to a previously scheduled engagement. In a letter of congratulation sent on behalf of the Conference, Bishop Malzaire said, “Today (February 6) is a special day for you and your new family of the Diocese of Cayenne, on your ordination as their spiritual father, teacher and to become their friend. It is a noble undertaking in the name of the Church universal, and especially the local Church of Cayenne.”

He continued, “Congratulations on your elevation to the episcopacy. Judging by what I learnt from your Metropolitan Archbishop, David Macaire in your regard, you will be greatly missed in the Archdiocese of St Pierre & Fort-de-France. However, being part the Province of St Pierre & Fort-de-France, the French Episcopal Conference, and the Antilles Episcopal Conference, you will still remain very connected to the people of St Pierre & Fort-de-France.”

Bishop Malzaire then welcomed Bishop Ransay to the College of Bishops “and especially to the fraternity of the Antilles Episcopal Conference”.

In 2020, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Emmanuel Lafont who reached the canonical limit of 75 years.