On Saturday, September 7, 2024, Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona, Bishop of Tolagnaro, Madagascar, visited the Missionaries of Bethlehem in Torry, Fribourg.
Appointed bishop by Pope Francis on November 5, 2023, and ordained on January 28, 2024, Bishop Luc Olivier is well known to the Society of Missionaries of Bethlehem (SMB). During his studies at the Faculty of Theology in Fribourg, he stayed in our mission house in Torry.
Luc Olivier was born on October 10, 1969, in Ambositra. After studying philosophy and theology at the major seminary of Fianarantsoa, he was ordained a priest on August 9, 1998, for the diocese of Ihosy. He held several positions while pursuing additional studies, including a licentiate in theology at the Catholic Institute of Madagascar (ICM).
For his advanced theological studies, he was sent to the University of Fribourg, Switzerland (2005-2009), where he also served as a chaplain at Fribourg Hospital (2006-2008) and as a vicar at Sainte-Thérèse Parish (2008-2009).
Upon his return to Madagascar, he held various positions, including diocesan administrator of Ihosy (2009-2011), vicar general of the diocese, cathedral rector, vice-director of Radio Avec, and member of the College of Consultors (2011-2015).
However, his ties with Fribourg remained strong, and he pursued a doctorate in theology at the University of Fribourg between 2015 and 2018.
During his visit to Torry, Bishop Luc Olivier, a faithful friend of the SMB, discussed prospects for collaboration between the SMB and the diocese of Tolagnaro.
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