Roman Catholic Diocese of Chipata

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

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	Francis
Bishop	George Cosmas Zumaire Lungu

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