Bishop Ruggieri announces new priest assignments
His Excellency Bishop James Ruggieri has announced priest assignments for October.
Reverend Roland Berngeh will be in residence at St. Peter's Parish in Portland with ministry in the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes effective October 7, 2025. He will return to the Diocese of Kumbo later this year. Fr. Berngeh has served as administrator of St. Kateri Tekakwitha since May of 2023. Prior to that, he was parochial vicar for the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Bar Harbor, Stella Maris Parish in Bucksport and St. Joseph Parish in Ellsworth. Fr. Berngeh was ordained to the priesthood in 1985 and served in a number of roles at parishes in his native Cameroon. He was also a director of vocation and vicar general in the Diocese of Kumbo. In addition to this seminary studies, he earned a master's degree in educational counseling from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
Reverend Joseph Lukong has been appointed temporary administrator of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Calais effective October 7, 2025. Fr. Lukong 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 July of 2023. Prior to his arrival in Maine, Fr. Lukong spent two decades as a parish priest and manager of schools in his native Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon. He also served as rector of St. Theresa Cathedral and dean in three deaneries in the Diocese of Kumbo. Ordained in 2002, Fr. Lukong completed his seminary studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary and earned a bachelor's degree in theological studies.
Reverend Benjamin Simon, HGN has been appointed parochial vicar of St. Joseph Parish in Ellsworth and Transfiguration Parish in Bar Harbor effective October 1, 2025. He served as summer parochial vicar of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in Rockland beginning June 1, his first assignment since arriving in Maine from India. Fr. Simon is a member of the Heralds of Good News, a missionary society of apostolic life. He has served in several roles since his ordination in 2001 including as rector in Herald’s Minor Seminary, pastor of St. Antony’s Church in Malligapuram, pastor of St. Antony’s Church in Veppedu, pastor of St. Arockinathar Church in K. Morur, and pastor of Annai Velankanni Church in Annanur. He also served for 10 years in the Diocese of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. He has earned several academic degrees including a Bachelor of Theology from St. Joseph Major Seminary, Institute of Theology, Andhrapradesh and a Master of Philosophy from Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram-Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy and Theology in Bagalore, India.
