Mchombo enthroned new Adus Bishop

The Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire (Adus) on Saturday enthroned William Mchombo as bishop at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral at Mpondasi in Mangochi.

The elevation comes 20 monthsafter the diocese had no without a spiritual father to lead and guide it.

President Lazarus Chakwera, who graced the event among other dignitaries, described the day as memorable, blessed and special for the Anglican community to cherish and revere.

He observed that Mchombo will impact not only the diocese, but the entire country in spearheading social development.

“Malawians, irrespective of differences in our religion, tribes, region or political differences should work together in developing the country,” said Chakwera.

The Right Reverend Mchombo, who has transferred from the Diocese of Eastern Zambia, becomes the third bishop in Adus, after Bishop Brighton Vitta Malasa (2007-2022) and late Archbishop Bernard Amos Malango (2001-2016).

Anglican Council in Malawi (ACM) chairperson the Right Reverend Alinafe Kalemba hailed Mchombo for accepting to lead Adus.

He said without a spiritual father, the diocese sundered.

Kalemba, who is also Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi bishop, has since urged the faithful in Upper Shire Diocese to welcome Mchombo and support him.

In his acceptance speech, Mchombo thanked Adus for entrusting him to lead them, saying he is not special, but he knows it is the mission of God to serve Malawians.

He pledged to be a good servant and serve the people diligently so that the diocese thrives in the spiritual, education, environment and technology dimensions.

Other dignitaries were National Assembly Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara, People’s Development Party leader Kondwani Nankhumwa, Catholic bishops and leaders of other churches.

Archishop Albert Chama, who heads the Church Province of Central Africa (CPCA) that covers 15 dioceses in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, presided over the service.

Mchombo was born on August 21 1962 in Mufulira District in Zambia.

He is a first-born son in a family of nine children. His parents came from Juma Village, Traditional Authority Maganga in Salima District.

Mchombo was elected as the second Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Zambia in 2003 and was consecrated and enthroned the same year by the Most Rev. Dr. Benard Amos Malango at St. Luke’s Cathedral in Msoro.

He was elected as the third Adus bishop at the Episcopal Synod held in Lusaka, Zambia.