Born in 1971, the Reverend Anthanasius Sangnyuy Wirsiy was raised in a Catholic family with three sisters. He began his priestly formation in 1993 at Saint John Mary Vianney Spiritual Center in Njinikom, Cameroon. He completed his clerical studies and earned bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and divinity at Saint Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary in Bambui, Cameroon. Father Anthanasius was ordained to the priesthood on April 24, 2003, by Bishop Cornelius Eusa, then-Bishop of Kumbo. Since his ordination, Father Anthanasius has served in the Diocese of Kumbo as chaplain at Saint Augustine College in Nso (2003-2005); parish priest at Assumption Parish in Mbiame (2005-2007); rector of Saint Aloysius Minor Seminary (2007-2010); and diocesan finance secretary (2010-2016). Beginning in February 2017, Father Anthanasius was appointed interim hospital chaplain at Maine Medical Center and Mercy Hospital, both in Portland, while assisting in the Portland Peninsula and Island Parishes. Effective July 1, 2017, Father Anthanasius was appointed Parochial Vicar of the Portland Peninsula & Island Parishes and hospital chaplain at Maine Medical Center and Mercy Hospital. Beginning on August 1, 2018, Father Anthanasius began full-time ministry at Maine Medical Center and Mercy Hospital.