Bishop Ruggieri announces new priest assignments

Bishop James T. Ruggieri has announced two new priest assignments in the Diocese of Portland effective January 30, 2025.

Fr. Sefembiy Justin has been appointed as pastor of Christ the Divine Mercy Parish in East Millinocket and Saint Benedict Parish in Benedicta. Fr. Justin has served as parochial vicar at the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Bar Harbor, Stella Maris Parish in Bucksport and St. Joseph Parish in Ellsworth since January of 2023. Fr. Justin is from the Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon where he was ordained to the priesthood in 2006 after completing his studies in philosophy and theology at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui. In the Diocese of Kumbo, he served as college chaplain at St. Sylvester's Catholic Comprehensive College and Sacred Heart College Douala, parish priest of St. Michael's Parish Meluf, Fidei Donum priest in the Archdiocese of Douala, and school principal at St. John Bosco's College Ngarum and St. Sylvester's College Sop, among other assignments.

Fr. Nsame Venantius has been appointed as parochial vicar of the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Bar Harbor, Stella Maris Parish in Bucksport and St. Joseph Parish in Ellsworth. Father Venantius has served as parochial vicar of Holy Spirit Parish in Wells since September of 2023. He is from the Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon, has received degrees in philosophy and theology from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Bambui, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2002. His assignments in Cameroon included pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Nkor, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Nkar, parochial vicar of St. Mathias Mulumba Parish in Ako, pastor of Christ the King Parish in Nkambé, parochial vicar of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Cathedral in Kumbo, parochial vicar of Assumption Parish in Mbiame, pastor of St. Kizito Parish in Sabongari, and pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish in Binju. He has twice served as dean of a deanery.