AFRICA/ZAMBIA - Bishop of Mpika appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, on July 17, 2008, appointed Fr. Ignatius Chama of the clergy of Mansa (Zambia), director of the diocesan development office and chaplain of the diocesan congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, as bishop of Mpika (Zambia).
Father Ignatius Chama was born August 12, 1957, in Mutomo-Kawambwa, in the Diocese of Mansa. After studying at the Minor Seminary in Mansa, he studied Philosophy at the National Seminary in Mpima and Theology at St. Dominic National Major Seminary in Lusaka. He completed studies in Business Administration at the Nyengezi Social Training Institute in Mwanza (Tanzania). He was ordained a priest on August 12, 1984 for the Diocese of Mansa. He has since ministered as follows: 1984-1985: Assistant pastor in Kasaba; 1986-1987: Vocations Director for the Diocese; 1987-1990: Pastor of the parish church of Kabunda and Rector of St. Charles Lwanga Minor Seminary, Bahati; 1991-1993: Diocesan Vice-Treasurer and Director of the Economic Affairs Council; 1994-1997: Treasurer and Director of the Economic Affairs Council; 1998-2002: Bursar of St. Charles Lwanga Minor Seminary, Bahati; since 2003: Diocesan Development Office Director and chaplain of the diocesan congregation of the Sisters of Mercy, in Mansa.
The Diocese of Mpika, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Kumasi, was erected in 1994. It covers an area of 120,000 sq. Km and has a population of 480,000 inhabitants, of whom 118,000 are Catholic. There are 13 parishes, 23 diocesan priests, 13 religious priests, 3 Fidei Donum priests, 10 religious brothers, 57 religious sisters, 3 deacons, and 26 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 17/7/2008)