Diego Ramón Sarrió Cucarella Appointed Bishop in Algeria

We are delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mons. Diego Ramón Sarrió Cucarella, a member of the Missionaries of Africa, on his recent appointment by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Laghouat in Algeria.

At 53 years old, Mons. Cucarella brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. Born in Spain, he was ordained a priest in June 2001 after completing his philosophical and theological studies at the Faculty of Theology of Madrid and Tangaza University in Nairobi, Kenya. His academic journey continued with a Doctorate in Islamic Studies from Georgetown University, where he lived at the Missionaries of Africa house in Washington D.C. for several years while pursuing his studies.

Before this appointment, Mons. Cucarella was the dean of the Pontifical Institute of Arabian and Islamic Studies (PISAI) in Rome, where he also held the roles of director and president. His work at PISAI, which is dedicated to fostering understanding between Christianity and Islam, has made a significant impact on interfaith dialogue, an area where he continues to be a respected leader.

The Missionaries of Africa were founded in Algeria in 1868 by Archbishop Charles Lavigerie of Algiers. The society’s first missions were in northern Algeria, and since then, the Missionaries of Africa have continued to play an essential role in the region. Mons. Cucarella’s appointment brings the Missionaries of Africa into a new connection to our roots in Algeria, where he will continue the mission of faith, education, and interfaith understanding.