Dennis Kofi Agbenyadzi S.M.A. (born 9 October 1964) is a Ghanaian-born Roman Catholic prelate who was appointed Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Berbérati, in the Central African Republic on 25 April 2026. Before that, from 14 May 2012 until 25 April 2026, he served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Berbérati. He was appointed bishop by Pope Francis. His consecration took place on 22 July 2012, by the hands of Fernando Cardinal Filoni, Cardinal-Deacon of Nostra Signora di Coromoto in San Giovanni di Dio. On 25 April 2026, Pope Leo XIV elevated the diocese of Berbérati to an archdiocese and appointed the local ordinary, Bishop Dennis Kofi Agbenyadzi, S.M.A., as the founding Archbishop of the new Ecclesiastical Metropolitan Province.
Background and education
He was born on 9 October 1964 in Kadjebi-Akan, Diocese of Jasikan, Volta Region, in Ghana. He carried out his national civil service, then he became a member of the Society of African Missions (S.M.A.). He studied philosophy in the Accra Diocesan Seminary in Accra, Ghana. He studied at an institution in Cavali, Benin for his "year of spirituality". He then carried out his "pastoral apprenticeship" in Bèlèmboké in the Diocese of Berbérati, Central African Republic. He studied theology at the Anyama Interdiocesan Major Seminary in Anyama, Ivory Coast.[1][2]
Priest
On 29 June 1996, he took his perpetual vows as a member of the Society of African Missions (SMA). He received priestly ordination on 12 July 1997. He served as a priest until 14 May 2012. While a priest, he served in various roles and locations, including:[1][2]
- Parish vicar in Berbérati from 1997 until 1999.
- Parish priest in Berbérati from 1999 until 2005.
- Director of development projects for the Pygmy peoples from 1999 until 2005.
- Member of the Episcopal Council from 1999 until 2005.
- Head of the management of pharmaceutical products from 1999 until 2005.
- Assistant to the regional superior for the SMA religious order from 1999 until 2005.
- Superior of the Formation House in Bangui from 2006 until 2007.
- Member of the Diocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants from 2006 until 2007
- Regional superior of the Fathers of the Society of African Missions from 2007 until 2012.[1][2]
Bishop
Pope Francis appointed him bishop of the Diocese of Berberati, CAR on 14 May 2012. He received his episcopal consecration on 22 July 2012 at the Bangui Catholic Cathedral, Bangui. The Principal onsecrator was Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Cardinal-Deacon of Nostra Signora di Coromoto in San Giovanni di Dio. He was assisted by Jude Thaddeus Okolo, Titular Archbishop of Novica and Edouard Mathos, Bishop of Bambari.[1][2][3][4]
On 25 April 2026, Pope Leo XIV elevated the Diocese of Berberati to the Archdiocese of Berbérati. The Holy Father appointed Bishop Dennis Kofi Agbenyadzi S.M.A., the local ordinary of the previous diocese as the pioneer Archbishop of the new Ecclesiastical Metropolitan Province.[1][2][3][5]
Succession table
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byArchdiocese created | Archbishop of Berbérati (since 25 April 2026) | Succeeded by(Incumbent) |
| Preceded byAgostino Giuseppe Delfino (17 June 1991 - 17 June 2010) | Bishop of Berbérati (14 May 2012 - 25 April 2026) | Succeeded by(Diocese elevated to Archdiocese) |
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4][1.5]Agenzia Fides (25 April 2026). "Africa/Central Africa: Erection of the ecclesiastical province of Berbérati and appointment of metropolitan archdiocese". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- 2.[2.2][2.3][2.4][2.5]Damian Avevor (25 April 2026). "Ghanaian Priest appointed Bishop of Berbérati". The Catholic Standard. Accra, Ghana. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- 3.[3.2]Jude Atemanke (25 April 2026). "Pope Leo XIV Elevates Berbérati Diocese in CAR to Archdiocese, Names Metropolitan Archbishop, Bangui Coadjutor". ACI Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- 4.SMA Ireland (14 May 2012). "Agbenyadzi Dennis Kofi: New Bishop of Berbérati". SMA Ireland. Cork, Ireland. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- 5.Brice Ulrich Afferi (25 April 2026). "Monsignor Dennis Kofi Agbenyadzi, Appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Berbérati". SMA International. Rome, Italy. Retrieved 5 May 2026.