Diocese of Upper Shire
Diocese of Upper Shire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Malawi |
| Ecclesiastical province | Central Africa |
| Statistics | |
| Parishes | 41 |
| Schools | 69 |
| Information | |
| Rite | Anglican |
| Established | 2002 |
| Cathedral | Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral Church, Mangochi |
| Secular priests | 58 |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | William Mchombo |
| Map | |
 Location of the diocese within Malawi | |
The Diocese of Upper Shire is a diocese of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. One of the church's four dioceses in Malawi, it was formed in 2002 out of the Diocese of Southern Malawi. As of 2025, the diocese had 58 priests serving in 41 parishes.[1]
History
[edit]The diocese was split from the Diocese of Southern Malawi and its first bishop was Bernard Malango, a Zambian bishop who also served as archbishop of Central Africa during his tenure. The diocese inherited much of the physical infrastructure of the Diocese of Southern Malawi, including the diocesan headquarters and bishop's residence in Malosa.[2]: 194 The second bishop, Brighton Vita Malasa, was elected by the epicopal synod of the province in 2008 after six votes at the diocesan level failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority.[3]
Malasa's 14-year tenure included significant controversy. In 2019, with some members of the diocese seeking Malasa's ouster over charges of abuse of power and financial impropriety, Malasa called police on his critics within the diocese.[4] Later that year, 39 of 41 parishes in the diocese signed a petition alleging corruption, harassment and "maladministration" and demanding the bishop's resignation.[5] In response, Malasa excommunicated 28 priests and additional laity who had opposed his decisions. He later reversed this action after consulting with Archbishop Albert Chama.[6] Protests against Malasa continued throughout 2020 and 2021.[7] Malasa refused to resign without receiving a K1 billion (US$1053697.48) severance package.[8][9]
In October 2022, Chama excommunicated Malasa under the canons of the church for refusing to meet with him over the charges, which in addition to financial impropriety also included adultery.[8][9] Following Malasa's excommunication and after the diocese was unable to reach agreement on a new bishop, Bishop of Eastern Zambia William Mchombo was selected by the province's episcopal synod as the third bishop of Upper Shire.[10] He was enthroned at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on May 18, 2024.[11]
After the Province of Central Africa allowed individual dioceses to ordain women as priests in 2024, the Diocese of Upper Shire reaffirmed its policy of ordaining only men to priesthood.[12]
Activities
[edit]Under Bishop Malasa, the diocese participated in the Gates Foundation-funded Health Population Project and observed August 25, 2013, as "a special day for teaching people on the effects of overpopulation."[13] The diocese also operates several health facilities, including a health sciences college, two hospitals and eight community health centres.[14][15]
The diocese has promoted tree planting as part of its environmental stewardship activities. In 2016, Beautify Malawi Trust patron Gertrude Mutharika announced a K3.5 million (US$4874.62) donation to the diocese for its tree-planting activities.[16] These activities continued under Mchombo with a focus on mitigating contributing factors to and effects of climate change.[17]
Starting in 2017, the diocese has operated an ecumenical scholarship programme with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mangochi. Funded by overseas donors, the programme provides €600 scholarships for tuition, room, board, uniform and other expenses for poor children to attend boarding schools.[18]
In 2025, the diocese launched a savings ministry in 19 parishes funded by British charity Five Talents. The initiative is intended to provide financial literacy training and encourage participants to form savings groups.[19]
Bishops
[edit]| No. | Name | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bernard Malango | 2002–2007 | Translated from Northern Zambia; also Archbishop of Central Africa |
| 2 | Brighton Vita Malasa | 2009–2022 | Excommunicated by provincial episcopal synod |
| 3 | William Mchombo | 2024–present | Translated from Eastern Zambia |
Companion diocese and partnerships
[edit]
The Diocese of Birmingham in the Church of England[20]
St. John's Vancouver in the Anglican Church in North America's Diocese of Canada (since 2003)[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Likaka, Raphael (13 April 2025). "Anglican Bishop urges Priests to uphold moral behaviour". Malawi24. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Tucker, Richard (2022). Together in Mission: The Anglican Church in Malawi and the Church of England Birmingham, 1966-2016. Mzuzu, Malawi: Mzuni Press. ISBN 9789996060694.
- ^ "Press Release from the Church of the Province of Central Africa". Anglican Communion News Service. 24 April 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Phimbi, Elijah (7 March 2019). "Police summon Anglican church members over rebellion against Bishop Malasa". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Kalimbuka-Mana, Synd (20 August 2019). "Fight over Anglican bishop Malasa's resignation rages on". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Anglican bishop reverses decision to excommunicate 28 priests, laity". Nyasa Times. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Mzungu, Watipaso (24 June 2021). "Disgruntled Anglicans plan demonstration to remove Bishop Malasa". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Anglican Church expels Bishop Malasa, others". Nation Online. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ a b Mtimuni, Ezra (24 October 2022). "Anglican Church excommunicates Bishop Vita Malasa for disobeying church orders". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Malowa, Jarson (1 March 2024). "Bishop William Mchombo elected Adus Bishop". The Times. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Likaka, Raphael (20 April 2024). "Enthronement of William Mchombo as Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire on this Ma". Malawi24. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Likaka, Raphael (23 June 2024). "Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire says no to women priests". Malawi24. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Zulu, Bellah (24 January 2014). "Malawi Anglicans address rapid population growth". Anglican Communion News Service. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ a b "St. John's + Malawi Partnership". St. John's Vancouver. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Mkandawire, Mwayi (22 October 2020). "St Luke's hospital opens operating theatre, modern mortuary". Malawi24. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Namanja-Mana, Arnold. "First Lady donates K3.5mil to Anglican: Beautify Malawi sourced money from Dubai 'well-wishers'". Nyasa Times. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "ADUS participates in environmental mitigation". Malawi24. 1 December 2024.
- ^ "Joint Anglican-Roman Catholic delegation celebrates Malawi ecumenical scholarship". Anglican Communion News Service. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ Likaka, Raphael (6 May 2025). "Bishop Mchombo launch Savings Ministry to promote financial empowerment". Malawi24. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
- ^ "Diocese: Upper Shire". Anglican Communion. Retrieved 2 June 2025.