Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On 23 December 2015, the Holy Father appointed Rev. Justin Mulenga, Pastoral Coordinator of the Archdiocese of Kasama as Bishop of Mpika (Zambia).
Rev. Justin Mulenga was born on February 27, 1955 in Rosa Mission (today Parish Nondo), in the district of Mungwi, Archdiocese of Kasama. After attending Rose Primary School, he entered the Minor Seminary of Lubushi in Kasama and, subsequently, the Major Seminary of Mpima. Later, he attended Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka, where he obtained a Diploma in Accounting. The Archbishop of Kasama, His Exc. Mgr. Elias Mutale, sent him to the San Beda Pontifical College in Rome, where he completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology before his ordination to priesthood, on 18 July 1993.
Since his ordination he has served the following pastoral roles: 1993-1994: Assistant priest in the Holy Family Parish in Lwena; 1994-1998: General Treasurer of the Archdiocese of Kasama; 1998-1999: Assistant priest of Kapatu Parish; 2000-2005: Pastor of St. John Cathedral in Kasama; 2005-2010: Pastor of St. Francis Parish in Mbal and, at the same time, Episcopal Vicar for the Religious and for the deanery of Mbala; since 2009: President of the diocesan clergy Association of the Archdiocese of Kasama; since 2010: Pastoral Coordinator of the same Metropolitan Seat.
The Diocese of Mpika was erected in 1933, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Kasama. It has an area of 86,135 square kilometers and a population of 548,000 inhabitants, of whom 133,511 are Catholics. There are 14 parishes, 36 diocesan priests and 5 missionaries, 26 religious and 58 religious women, 25 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 28/12/2015)
