POPE Benedict XVI has appointed Fr Evans Chinyama as the new Bishop of Mongu Catholic Diocese.This follows the resignation of the incumbent Bishop Paul Duffy after reaching the age of 75.
According to a statement from the Vatican Embassy in Lusaka, the choice of Fr Chinyama was aimed at giving continuity to the work done by Bishop Duffy in the last 14 years.
"Bishop Duffy, in conformity with canon 401 §1 had presented his resignation as soon as he reached the 75th year of age. In appreciation for the pastoral work he is making in the Diocese, the Holy Father left him in this post for almost 4 years, being now the most old residential bishop in all Africa," the statement read in part.
"The Holy See -
Vatican is extremely grateful to Bishop Duffy for his tireless
commitment in bringing up the Diocese of Mongu with many social projects
and for the development of the diocese. In fact he has been the first
Bishop of the Diocese of Mongu."
Bishop Duffy would remain in charge of the diocese until the bishop-elect is ordained.
Fr Chinyama is a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) and has been close to Bishop Duffy from the time the latter was parish priest at Lukulu.
He was born in 1967 in Lukulu district in the Western Province and was ordained priest on August 19, 2000 at Santa Maria Parish in Lukulu district.
In 2009, he was appointed parish priest at Shang’ombo and later the same year he held the office of Superior, Delegation of Zambia.
In September last year, he was elected member of the General Council of OMI for Africa-Madagascar in Rome.
Bishop Duffy would remain in charge of the diocese until the bishop-elect is ordained.
Fr Chinyama is a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) and has been close to Bishop Duffy from the time the latter was parish priest at Lukulu.
He was born in 1967 in Lukulu district in the Western Province and was ordained priest on August 19, 2000 at Santa Maria Parish in Lukulu district.
In 2009, he was appointed parish priest at Shang’ombo and later the same year he held the office of Superior, Delegation of Zambia.
In September last year, he was elected member of the General Council of OMI for Africa-Madagascar in Rome.