AFRICA/ZAMBIA - Appointment of the Auxiliary of Chipata

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on 15 January 2011, appointed as the Auxiliary of the diocese of Chipata (Zambia) Father Benjamin Phiri, of the clergy of Chipata, currently Rector of the National Major Theological Seminary, St Dominic in Lusaka, assigning him the role of Titular Bishop of Nachingwea.
The new Bishop was born on 14 June 1959, in the village of Chongololo (District of Petauke), diocese of Chipata. After his studies at the Minor Seminary in Monze, he followed the normal path of candidates to the priesthood in Zambia, taking philosophy classes at the St Augustine Seminary, and theology studies National Major Theological Seminary, St Dominic in Lusaka.
He was ordained a priest on 14 September 1986, appointed to the Diocese of Chipata. After his priestly ordination, he carried out the following ministries: 1986-1988: Assistant parish priest in the Parish of Mbwindi (Chipata) and at the same time, Director of Vocational Ministry for the Diocese of Chipata (1987-1993); 1988-1990: Parish priest in Chadiza (Chipata); 1990-1997: Director of the Centre for Pastoral Care and Catechesis in Chikungu (Chipata) and at the same time personal Secretary of the former Bishop of Chipata, Bishop Medardo Mazombwe (1993-1997); 1997-2002: Studies for the Licence in Canon Law in Rome, at the Urban Pontifical University; 2002-2004: National Director of the Pastoral Care Office for the Episcopal Conference of Zambia. From 2004 he has been Rector of the National Major Theological Seminary of St Dominic in Lusaka. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 15/01/2011)