Pope Francis appoints new bishop for Zomba

Global head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has appointed Father George Desmund Tambala as new bishop of the Zomba Diocese.

Tambala belongs to the Order of the Carmelite Discalced (OCD) and becomes the first priest from that Order in the country to be promoted to the high office of a bishop.

However, a press statement from the Apostolic Nunciature in Malawi states that Archbishop Thomas Msusa remains in-charge of the diocese until the bishop-elect ‘takes possession of the Episcopal See of Zomba’.

The position of bishop of Zomba Diocese fell vacant after Msusa was appointed to head the Archdiocese of Blantyre.

Meanwhile, Apostolic Nunciature in Malawi is yet to disclose the date on which consecration of the bishop-elect will take place.