MALAWI: Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop for Zomba Diocese
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| Bishop Elect George Desmund Tambala |
The Holy
Father Pope Francis on Thursday during the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila at
noontime in the Vatican City announced the appointment of Rev Fr George Desmund Tambala as the new Bishop for Zomba Diocese.
Father Pope Francis on Thursday during the feast of Saint Teresa of Avila at
noontime in the Vatican City announced the appointment of Rev Fr George Desmund Tambala as the new Bishop for Zomba Diocese.
In a
statement from the Apostolic Nunciature in Malawi through the office of the
Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), His Grace Most
Reverend Thomas Msusa, Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the
Diocese of Zomba, remains in charge of the Diocese until the new Bishop will
take possession of the Episcopal See of Zomba.
statement from the Apostolic Nunciature in Malawi through the office of the
Secretary General for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), His Grace Most
Reverend Thomas Msusa, Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the
Diocese of Zomba, remains in charge of the Diocese until the new Bishop will
take possession of the Episcopal See of Zomba.
In the
congratulation message to the Bishop-elect, the Vice Chairman for the Episcopal
Conference of Malawi, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka said, “My Lord Bishop Elect, on
behalf of the President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, who is out of
the country at the moment for official duties as the President of the ECM, and
on my own behalf, and indeed on behalf of the entire Catholic Church in Malawi,
I wish to most sincerely congratulate you on your appointment as the Bishop of
the Diocese of Zomba.”
congratulation message to the Bishop-elect, the Vice Chairman for the Episcopal
Conference of Malawi, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka said, “My Lord Bishop Elect, on
behalf of the President of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, who is out of
the country at the moment for official duties as the President of the ECM, and
on my own behalf, and indeed on behalf of the entire Catholic Church in Malawi,
I wish to most sincerely congratulate you on your appointment as the Bishop of
the Diocese of Zomba.”
According to
Bishop Mtumbuka this appointment reflects the trust of the Holy Father in Fr.
Tambala. “This appointment reflects the trust the Holy Father has in you and
ultimately the love of God for you and his trust that you can shepherd his
flock of Zomba, counting on his unfailing help and the support of the priests
and religious men and women of Zomba and on certain and solid support of we
your Brother Bishops,” he said.
Bishop Mtumbuka this appointment reflects the trust of the Holy Father in Fr.
Tambala. “This appointment reflects the trust the Holy Father has in you and
ultimately the love of God for you and his trust that you can shepherd his
flock of Zomba, counting on his unfailing help and the support of the priests
and religious men and women of Zomba and on certain and solid support of we
your Brother Bishops,” he said.
Bishop
Mtumbuka added, “Surely there are some joyful days ahead of you as well as
agonizing weeks and months. But all these are nothing compared with what our
Lord did to show us his love. All we your Brother Bishops can do, therefore, is
entrust you to the one who has placed this heavy cross on your shoulders and
sincerely pray that he will never let you down even if we know of nobody whom
he let down”.
Mtumbuka added, “Surely there are some joyful days ahead of you as well as
agonizing weeks and months. But all these are nothing compared with what our
Lord did to show us his love. All we your Brother Bishops can do, therefore, is
entrust you to the one who has placed this heavy cross on your shoulders and
sincerely pray that he will never let you down even if we know of nobody whom
he let down”.
He ended his
statement with this short prayer: “May Mary our Mother, intercede for you that
at all times you will reflect the face of his Son as you minister to her
children entrusted to your pastoral care.”
statement with this short prayer: “May Mary our Mother, intercede for you that
at all times you will reflect the face of his Son as you minister to her
children entrusted to your pastoral care.”
Bishop
Elect, Reverend Tambala was born in Zomba on 11th November 1968 and he
was ordained priest on 13th April 1996 at Chiphaso Parish in
Lilongwe. He has held the following positions: Parochial Vicar in
Kapiri-Archdiocese of Lilongwe (1996-2002); Postulants Master in Balaka and
teacher of Spirituality (2000-2002); Provincial Delegate Superior in the
mission of the Province of San Joaquin of Navarre in Malawi (2002-2008);
Superior of the House of Spirituality of Nyungwe-Blantyre. From 2009 until now,
he is Definitor General in Charge of Africa and Madagascar in the Order of
Discalced Carmelites.
Elect, Reverend Tambala was born in Zomba on 11th November 1968 and he
was ordained priest on 13th April 1996 at Chiphaso Parish in
Lilongwe. He has held the following positions: Parochial Vicar in
Kapiri-Archdiocese of Lilongwe (1996-2002); Postulants Master in Balaka and
teacher of Spirituality (2000-2002); Provincial Delegate Superior in the
mission of the Province of San Joaquin of Navarre in Malawi (2002-2008);
Superior of the House of Spirituality of Nyungwe-Blantyre. From 2009 until now,
he is Definitor General in Charge of Africa and Madagascar in the Order of
Discalced Carmelites.
By Prince Henderson, ECM
Communications Officer
Communications Officer
