📋 Tender Overview
The Bishop of the Diocese of Bata, Monsignor Miguel Angel Bee Etete, recently appointed by the Holy See Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Malabo, has appointed the Rt. Fray Roberto Okon Poco, O.P., as Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator of this particular Church.
The appointment is made by decree, within the framework of the powers conferred on the Apostolic Administrator by the Holy See, in accordance with the act dated August 15, 2026, Prot. No. 3366/2026.
The purpose of the appointment is to contribute to the adequate pastoral and administrative government of the Archdiocese of Malabo during the period in which Bishop Miguel Angel Nguema Bee Etete exercises the functions of Apostolic Administrator.
The decree bases the appointment on the provisions of the Code of Canon Law relating to the power of regime, ordinary and delegated executive power, as well as the conditions and limits established for the exercise of delegated functions.
By virtue of this appointment, Fray Roberto Okon Poco, O.P., will exercise the functions entrusted to him within the limits established by Canon Law and by the mandate of the Apostolic Administrator.
The designation reinforces the government structure of the Archdiocese of Malabo and seeks to guarantee the continuity of its pastoral and administrative mission during the period of apostolic administration.
Among the main powers conferred on the Delegate are the representation of the Apostolic Administrator when he receives an express mandate, collaboration in the coordination of the ordinary pastoral life of the Archdiocese and the promotion of communion and unity between parishes, religious communities, movements, associations and ecclesial institutions.
The Delegate may also coordinate, by express delegation, the services and organizations of the Curia, as well as receive and channel to the Apostolic Administrator reports and matters of importance coming from the different diocesan structures.
Likewise, among his responsibilities will be the execution of the decisions and provisions adopted by the Apostolic Administrator, ensuring their correct application in the pastoral and administrative areas. Likewise, he may preside over meetings, meetings and ecclesial events on behalf of the Apostolic Administrator when he has received the corresponding mandate.
The decree also contemplates the possibility for the Delegate to attend to and resolve certain administrative and pastoral matters that are entrusted to him, always within the limits established by Canon Law and by the mandate received.
However, those matters that, by provision of Canon Law, mandate of the Holy See or express decision of the Administrator himself, require his personal intervention or a special mandate, are expressly reserved to the Apostolic Administrator.
The document specifies that this appointment does not affect the office, powers and faculties of the Vicar General, nor the other offices legitimately established in the Archdiocese, whose respective powers continue to be determined by Canon Law and the provisions of the Apostolic Administrator.
The appointment comes into force from its publication, on August 21, 2026, and will remain in force for the duration of the Apostolic Administrators mandate, unless he legitimately provides otherwise.
The decree has been signed in Malabo by Miguel Angel, Bee Etete, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Malabo, and by order of the Apostolic Administrator, by the Rev. Fr. Alberto Nguema Oba, Chancellor of the Curia.
Text and photos: Sarilusi Tarifa King (DGPEPWIG)
Information and Press Office of Equatorial Guinea
Notice: The total or partial reproduction of this article or the images that accompany it must be done, always and everywhere, with the mention of the source of origin of the same (Information and Press Office of Equatorial Guinea).
