Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Fr. Emmanuel Kanyama pastor and professor in the philosophical seminary of Kachebere, as Bishop of Dedza and accepted the retirement of Bishop Felix Eugenio Mkhori of Lilongwe.

Bishop Mkhori is succeeded by Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Gustave Sainte-Marie M. Afr.

Bishop-elect Kanyama was born in Dedza on Christmas Day, 1962. After minor seminary he studied at Malawi's two national seminaries: Kachebere for philosophy and St. Peter's (Zomba) for theology.

He was ordained a priest on August 4, 1990 for the Diocese of Dedza. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1990-1992: teacher at Dedza minor seminary; 1992-1996: Studies for a doctorate in philosophy at the Pontifical Urban College in Rome; 1996-2004: teacher at Kachebere seminary for philosophy and then for 6 years Acting Rector; since 2004: parish priest at Ntcheu, e while teaching at Kachebere. He is a Diocesan consultor.

The Diocese of Dedza has over 1.5 million people, some 449,600 of whom are Catholics, served by 37 priests and 108 religious.