Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) – The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, 17 January 2004, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Zomba (Malawi) presented by Bishop Allan Chamgwera, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1.
The Holy Father has, 17 January 2004, appointed Bishop of Zomba Reverend Father Thomas Msusa SMM, Regional Superior of the Monfort Delegation in Kenya, Malawi, Congo and Uganda.
The Bishop elect was born on 2 February 1962 at Iba, Namwera district in the diocese of Mangochi. After minor seminary at Zomba, he studied philosophy at the inter-congregational seminary at Balaka in 1990 was admitted to the Monfort Novitiate in Kampala (Uganda). He studied theology in Kenya and the took a masters in pastoral theology at Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA). He followed Courses in Monfort Spirituality in the Philippines, Italy and France. He was ordained a priest on 3 August 1996. He has since been: assistant priest at Mphiri (1996/97); vice Novice Master in Uganda (1997/2000); Superior of the Monfort theological Scholasticate in Kenya (2000/02); regional Superior of the Monfort delegation in Kenya, Malawi, Congo and Uganda (since 2002).
Zomba diocese (1959), with the dioceses of Dedza, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Mzuzu and Chikwawa, is suffragan of the archdiocese of Blantyre. It has an area of 3.232 sq. km., a population of 672.114, of whom are 220.000 Catholics, gathered in 15 parishes, 40 priests (32 diocesan e 8 missionaries), 14 Brothers, 55 Sisters, 22 major seminarians (S.L.) (Fides Service 17/1/2004; lines 20; words 238)
