ZAMBIA: Pope erects a New Diocese and appoints the first Bishop

The Holy Father Benedict XVI erected the new Diocese of Kabwe, in Zambia, with territory taken from the diocese of Mpika and the Archdiocese of Lusaka, making it a suffragan of the metropolitanchurch of Lusaka. The Holy Father appointed Fr. Clement Mulenga, S.D.B, Director of the Office for the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Lusaka as the first Bishop of Kabwe.

Rev. Fr. Clement Mulenga, S.D.B, was born on August 15, 1965 in Dimashi (Archdiocese of Kasama). After completing high school in Luwingu (city of northern Zambia, known for the presence of the Salesians and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians), he entered the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco. He made his final profession in Nairobi, in Kenya, on August 25, 1996, after receiving his ordination on August 25, 1998.After ordination he has held the following positions: 1998-2001: Parish Vicar of Bauleni in Lusaka; 2001-2004: Higher Studies in Rome, for the Licentiate in Youth Ministry and Catechesis at the Pontifical Salesian University; 2005-2007: Superior of the Salesian Community of Chingola in Zambia, Councillor and Delegate for Formation; 2007-2009: Vicar, Trainer and Professor of the Community of post-novices of Moshi in Tanzania. Since 2009 he has been Director of the Office for the Pastoral Care of the Youth of the Archdiocese of Lusaka.

The new diocese of Kabwe (nom. lat. Kabven / sis /) includes 5 civil districts of the Central Province of Zambia: Kabwe, Kapiri-Mposhi, Mkushi, Chibombo and Serenje and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Lusaka. The Sacred Heart Church becomes the Cathedral of the new diocese.