Dioceses
The Catholic Dioceses in Malawi
The Catholic Church in Malawi
has the following Dioceses
Lilongwe Archdiocese
The Archdiocese of Lilongwe covers seven districts in Malawi’s Central Region: Lilongwe, Mchinji, Kasungu, Dowa, Ntchisi, Salima, and Nkhotakota. It comprises 50 parishes, spans 24,025 km², and serves a Catholic population of 1.1 million within a total population of 6,014,326 (2018 census). The archdiocese traces its roots to the Vicariate of Nyasa, erected on 12th February 1897. It was renamed Likuni on 12th July 1951, became Lilongwe on 20th June 1957, and was raised to a diocese on 25th April 1959. Lilongwe was elevated to a Metropolitan Archdiocese on 9th February 2011. Guided by the mission of continuing Christ’s healing ministry, the archdiocese promotes human life and provides pastoral care, social development, and investment initiatives. It is led by Most Rev. George Desmond Tambala, assisted by Rt. Rev. Vincent Frederick Mwakhwawa, the Auxiliary Bishop.
Mzuzu Diocese
The Diocese of Mzuzu is in Northern Malawi, bordered by Lilongwe Archdiocese to the south, Karonga Diocese to the north, Lake Malawi to the east, and Zambia to the west. Tumbuka is the main language for liturgical celebrations, with English used occasionally.
The diocese traces its origins to the Vicariate Apostolic of Nyassa. On 18th May 1947, the Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Nyassa was created, with Monsignor Marcel Saint-Denis, M. Afr., as its first Prefect. It was elevated to a diocese on 17th January 1961. Part of its territory became the Diocese of Karonga in 2010, and in 2011 Mzuzu shifted from the Blantyre to the Lilongwe Metropolitan.
Leadership has included Monsignor Marcel Saint-Denis (1947–1957), Monsignor Jean-Louis Jobidon (1958–1987), Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza (1995–2015), Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan (2016–2025), and currently Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, installed in May 2025.
Karonga Diocese
The Catholic Diocese of Karonga is located in Northern Malawi, bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. It covers the districts of Karonga and Chitipa, as well as parts of northern Rumphi, with its administrative centre in Karonga town. The area is predominantly Tumbuka speaking, with other local languages such as Lambya, Ndali, Nyakyusa, and Ngonde. The diocese was created on 21st July 2010 by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and officially inaugurated on 20th November 2010, when Rt. Rev. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka was consecrated as its first bishop. Previously, it was the Northern Deanery of the Diocese of Mzuzu. At its establishment, the diocese covered about 12,000 km² with a population of 451,861, including 60,000 Catholics (14%). Today, the diocese serves an estimated 590,000 people across remote and mountainous areas such as Livingstonia, the Nyika Plateau, and the Misuku Hills, with Lake Malawi forming its eastern boundary.
Dedza Diocese
The Diocese of Dedza, located in central Malawi, was established as an Apostolic Vicariate on 29th April 1956 and elevated to a diocese on 25th April 1959. It covers parts of Dedza, Ntcheu, and Salima districts and is part of the Lilongwe Metropolitan.
Since its establishment, the diocese has been served by six bishops. The first was Rt. Rev. Cornelius Chitsulo (1956–1984), the first Malawian bishop, followed by Rt. Rev. Gervase Chisendera (1984–2000), Rt. Rev. Rémi Ste-Marie, M. Afr. (2000–2006), Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Kanyama (2007–2018), and currently Rt. Rev. Peter Adrian Chifukwa (appointed 2021).
The diocese spans 4,250 km², with a Catholic population of over 378,670 in 2021, serving through 17 parishes with a growing number of clergy and religious members.
Blantyre Archdiocese
The Archdiocese of Blantyre is the one of the oldest in Malawi, with its cathedral at Our Lady of Wisdom (Limbe). It is the center of the Catholic Church in southern Malawi serving over 1.1 million faithful across 23,740 km², guiding them in faith, prayer, and service. The Church in this region began on 3 December 1903 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Shiré, became an Apostolic Vicariate in 1908, and was renamed Blantyre in 1952. It was elevated to a Metropolitan Archdiocese on 25 April 1959. Over the years, it has been shepherded by dedicated leaders: Prefect Apostolic Auguste Prézeau (1903–1909), Vicar Apostolic Louis-Joseph-Marie Auneau (1910–1949), Bishop John Baptist Hubert Theunissen (1949–1967), Bishop James Chiona (1967–2001), Archbishop Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye (2001–2013), and Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa (2013–present). Through their guidance, the Archdiocese has grown in faith, pastoral care, education, and service, forming vibrant Catholic communities rooted in the Gospel.
Mangochi Diocese
The Diocese of Mangochi, part of the ecclesiastical province of Blantyre, was first established on 29 May 1969 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Fort Johnston, taken from the Diocese of Zomba. It was promoted to a diocese on 17 September 1973. Since its founding, the Diocese has been led by Bishop Alessandro Assolari (1973–2004), Bishop Luciano Nervi (2004–2005), Bishop Alessandro Pagani (2007–2013), and Bishop Monfort Stima (2013–present). Over the years, it has grown in faith, pastoral care, and social outreach, serving the Catholic community across Mangochi.
Chikwawa Diocese
The Diocese of Chikwawa covers the southern districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa, and parts of Thyolo and Blantyre, spanning 7,676 km². The Diocese is organized into 14 parishes grouped into four deaneries: Chikwawa, Nsanje, Molere, and Fatima. It was established as a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Blantyre by Pope Paul VI on 22 March 1965. The patron saint of the Diocese is Our Lady, Cause of Our Joy (Causa Nostrae Letitiae). The Diocese has been shepherded by three bishops. The first was Rt. Rev. Eugenius F.J. Vroemen, followed by Rt. Rev. Felix E. Mkhori (may their souls rest in peace). The current bishop, Rt. Rev. Peter Musikuwa, was appointed on 16 April 2003 and consecrated on 28 June 2003.
Zomba Diocese
The Diocese of Zomba, part of the ecclesiastical province of Blantyre, serves Catholics in southern Malawi, guiding them in faith, prayer, and community life. It covers 3,522 km² and continues to nurture vibrant Catholic communities rooted in the Gospel. The Church in Zomba began as the Vicariate Apostolic of Zomba on 15 May 1952, carved out from the Vicariate Apostolic of Shiré. In 1956, part of its territory was separated to form the Vicariate Apostolic of Likuni. On 25 April 1959, it was elevated to a diocese, marking a new chapter in the pastoral care and evangelization of the region. Later, in 1969, part of its territory was ceded to create the Prefecture Apostolic of Fort Johnston. The Diocese has been shepherded by dedicated leaders: Bishop Lawrence Pullen Hardman, S.M.M. (1952–1970), Bishop Matthias A. Chimole (1970–1979), Bishop Allan Chamgwera (1981–2004), Bishop Thomas Luke Msusa, S.M.M. (2003–2013, later Archbishop of Blantyre), Bishop George Desmond Tambala, O.C.D. (2015–2021, later Archbishop of Lilongwe), and the current Bishop Alfred Mateyu Chaima (2023–present). Under their guidance, the Diocese has grown in faith, pastoral outreach, and social service, continuing to witness Christ’s love in the lives of the faithful.