Pope Francis has elevated Mzuzu Diocese Auxiliary Bishop the Right Reverend Father Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda to bishop of the diocese.
In a statement yesterday, Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops secretary general Father Valeriano Mtseka said Nyirenda’s appointment followed the Pope’s acceptance of a request from Right Reverend John Ryan to retire as bishop of Mzuzu Diocese.
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Reads the statement: “We join the Diocese of Mzuzu and indeed the entire Catholic Church in Malawi in congratulating the auxiliary bishop for this appointment. We have all the reasons to celebrate God’s goodness and care for us.”
He will be installed on May 3.
Bishop-elect Nyirenda was born on June 20 1976 in Mzimba and studied philosophy and theology at Kachebere Major Seminary in Mchinji and St Peter’s Major Seminary in Zomba respectively.
Nyirenda has a diploma in ecclesiastical tribunal (Canon Law) from Catholic University of Eastern Africa and diploma in religious formation and spirituality from Lumen Christi Institute in Tanzania.
He was ordained as deacon on May 19 2007 and his ordination to priesthood took place in July, 2008 at St. Paul’s Parish in Mzimba.
Nyirenda has served in various roles, including as curate, diocesan vocations director and rector. At the time of his appointment as bishop, he had served as auxiliary bishop of Mzuzu Diocese for close to two years.
Meanwhile, Bishop Ryan will serve as the apostolic administrator until the installation of Nyirenda as the bishop of the diocese.
