Diocese of Chipata

Diocese of Chipata Dioecesis Chipatensis
Location
Country	Zambia
Metropolitan	Lusaka
Statistics
Area	69,106 km2 (26,682 sq mi)
Population Total Catholics	(as of 2006) 1,381,000 315,130 (22.8%)
Information
Rite	Latin Rite
Current leadership
Pope	Leo XIV
Bishop	George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu

Map of the area controlled by the diocese of Chipata

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Chipata (Latin: Chipaten(sis)) is a diocese located in Chipata in Zambia.

History

• July 1, 1937: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Fort Jameson from the Apostolic Vicariate of Nyassa in Malawi
• May 7, 1953: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Fort Jameson
• April 25, 1959: Promoted as Diocese of Fort Jameson
• April 15, 1968: Renamed as Diocese of Chipata

Bishops

• Prefects Apostolic of Fort Jameson (Roman rite)
  • Fr. Fernand Martin, M. Afr. (1937.12.17 – 1946; Apostolic Administrator 1946 – 1947.03.07)
  • Fr. Firmin Courtemanche, M. Afr. (1947.03.07 – 1953.05.07 see below)
• Vicar Apostolic of Fort Jameson (Roman rite)
  • Bishop Firmin Courtemanche, M. Afr. (see above 1953.05.07 – 1959.04.25 see below)
• Bishops of Fort Jameson (Roman rite)
  • Bishop Firmin Courtemanche, M. Afr. (see above 1959.04.25 – 1968.04.15 see below)
• Bishops of Chipata (Roman rite)
  • Bishop Firmin Courtemanche, M. Afr. (see above 1968.04.15 – 1970.11.11)
  • Bishop Medardo Joseph Mazombwe (1970.11.11 – 1996.11.30), appointed Archbishop of Lusaka; future Cardinal
  • Bishop George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu (since 2002.12.23)

Auxiliary Bishop

• Benjamin S. Phiri (2011-2020), appointed Bishop of Ndola
• Gabriel Msipu Phiri (2023-present)

See also

• Roman Catholicism in Zambia

Sources

• GCatholic.org
• Catholic Hierarchy