AFRICA/MALAWI - Creation of the diocese of Karonga and appointment of first Bishop

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, on 21 July 2010 created the diocese of Karonga (Malawi), with territory taken from the diocese of Mzuzu, making it a suffragan of the Metropolitan See of Blantyre. The Holy Father appointed the first Bishop of Karonga, Rev. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka, of the clergy of Mzuzu, Vice-chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi.
The new diocese of Karonga (nom. lat. Karongan /us/), comprises the present Northern Deanery of Mzuzu and two civil districts of Karonga and Chipita. The parish church of St. Mary Karonga will serve as the cathedral of the new diocese.
Rev. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka, was born on 5 August 1957 in Majimbula Village, district of Rumpi, diocese of Mzuzu. After primary school in Chilulu, he entered the Minor Seminary of Mzuzu while attending secondary school. He then followed the normal path of preparation for the priesthood at the Philosophical Seminary at Kachebere and the Theological Seminary in Zomba. He was ordained a priest on 31 July 1988, for the diocese of Mzuzu. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1988-1990: assistant priest at the cathedral of Mzuzu; 1990-1993: rector of St. Patrick Minor Seminary; 1993-1997: Studies for a Master degree in Religious Science at Mater Dei Institute, in Ireland; 1997-2002: Studies for a doctorate in the Science of Education at London University, Gt Britain; 2002-2005: rector of the Minor Seminary of Mzuzu; since 2005: Vice-chancellor of the Catholic University of Malawi, in the archdiocese of Blantyre. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 21/7/2010)