Joseph Samedi S.J. (born 20 December 1971) is a Central African Catholic prelate who was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangui, Central African Republic on 25 April 2026. Before that, from 6 August 2006 until 25 April 2026, he served as a priest of Jesuits Catholic Order. He was appointed bishop by Pope Leo XIV. His episcopal consecration took place at Bangui on 14 June 2026. He is a professed member of the Society of Jesus (S.J.), a Catholic Religious Order.
Background and education He was born on 20 December 1971 in Mongoumba, in the Diocese of Mbaïki, Lobaye Prefecture, Central African Republic. He studied for his novitiate in Bafoussam, Cameroon. He studied philosophy in the Saint-Pierre Canisius Faculty of Philosophy in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He studied in Chad, as part of his "Jesuit formation". He studied theology in Brussels, Belgium. He graduated with a licentiate in Church History from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.
Priest He was ordained a priest for the Jesuits on 6 August 2006. He served as a priest until 25 April 2026. While a priest he served in various roles and locations, including: Head of the Library and vicar of the French-speaking parish of Bangui from 2008 until 2009. Formator at the Saint-Marc National Major Seminary of Bangui from 2009 until 2018. "Superior ad tempus" (Temporary superior) of the Society of Jesus in Bangui from 2011 until 2018. Head of ongoing formation of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Bangui from 2011 until 2018. Director of the Saint-Charles Lwanga College in Sarh, Chad from 2018 until 2024. Director of the Pope Francis School Complex from 2024 until 2026. Superior of the Society of Jesus in Bangui from 2024 until 2026.
Bishop On 25 April 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Reverend Father Monsignor Joseph Samedi, S.J., previously director of the Pope Francis School Complex and Superior of the Society of Jesus in Bangui, as Coadjutor Bishop of the Metropolitan Province of Bangui, Central African Republic. He was consecrated bishop on 14 June 2026. The Principal Consecrator was Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Titular Archbishop of Aquaviva.
See also Roman Catholicism in the Central African Republic
References
Succession table
External links Profile of Joseph Samedi, S.J., Coadjutor Archbishop of Bangui, Central African Republic