Pope Francis appoints new Bishop for Zomba Diocese
By Chilungamo Missi – Mana.
Episcopal Conference of Malawi has confirmed that His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed Very Reverend Father Alfred Mateyu Chaima as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba.
According to a statement signed by the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Zomba and President for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Most Reverend George Desmond Tambala, the appointment was made on Monday at the Vatican City.
“I am pleased to announce that His Holiness Pope Francis has today appointed the Very Reverend Fr. Alfred Mateyu Chaima from the Arch Diocese of Blantyre as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba.
“The announcement of the appointment is being made today, Monday 5th June 2023, at noontime (12pm local time) at the Vatican City,” reads the statement.
Tambala further urged Catholics to remember the new bishop in their prayers for a humble and successful ministry as he embarks new journey.
In an interview, Deputy Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Fr. Valeriano Mtseka said Zomba Diocese has spent about three years without its own Bishop saying the appointment is a welcome development.
He said: “The Arch Bishop of the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe was the Apostolic Administrator in that diocese, but now this time around it means after his consecration, the work is going to be eased in such a way that the diocese has its own bishop.”
He added that the newly appointed bishop is well qualified in pastoral matters with a PHD in Pastoral Theology, and is a renowned preacher who has also worked as a lecturer at the Catholic University and University of Malawi just to mention a few.
He therefore asked support from Christians, priests and the immediate collaborators to make the work easy for the bishop as a shepherd of the diocese.
Mana/cm/tv/scm
