Catholic Church ordains Bishop Linus Ngenomesho to lead Rundu Vicariate
The Catholic Church has officially ordained Father Linus Ngenomesho as the second Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu, ushering in a new chapter of leadership for the Church in northern and north-eastern Namibia.
The ordination ceremony, held over the weekend, marks Ngenomesho’s formal installation as head of the Vicariate, succeeding Bishop Emeritus Joseph Shipandeni Shikongo, who led the diocese from 1994 until his retirement in 2020.
Ngenomesho has been serving as Apostolic Administrator of the Vicariate since November 2020 after being appointed by the late Pope Francis.
On 11 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV named him the second Apostolic Vicar of Rundu.Born on 22 August 1969 at Okatana in the Oshana Region, Bishop Ngenomesho studied Philosophy and Theology at St Joseph’s Oblate Scholasticate in Cedara, South Africa.
He was ordained a Catholic priest on 26 January 2002 as a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).
Over the years, he has served in various pastoral and leadership roles within the Church, preparing him for his new responsibilities.
As Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu, Ngenomesho will oversee the Catholic Church’s pastoral work across the Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions, as well as parts of the Otjozondjupa Region.
His appointment comes as the Church continues its mission of strengthening faith communities and expanding pastoral services across the northern regions of the country.
Source: Catholic Church in Namibia.
