The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed as Archbishop of Kasama, Bishop of Mpika and President of the Zambia Episcopal Conference.

The Archbishop-Elect, H.E. Ignatius Chama, was born at Mutono’s village, on 12^th August 1957 in Kawambwa district, in the Diocese of Mansa.
He completed his primary and secondary school education in Luapula province. This was followed by his priestly studies at St. Augustine’s major Seminary in Kabwe and St. Dominic’s major seminary in Lusaka where he was awarded a Diploma in Philosophy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Theology. On 12^th August 1984, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Mansa.
After his ordination, the Archbishop-Elect Chama served in various pastoral and administrative duties within the Catholic Church including that of being a Curate, Chaplain, Parish Priest, Rector of Minor seminary, Diocesan Treasurer General, Judicial Vicar, Bishop’s Consultor, Coordinator of Diocesan Development Department and Chairman of the National Catholic Commission for Development.

On 17^th July, 2008, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, appointed him to be the Bishop of the Diocese of Mpika, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, consecrated him on 28^th September 2008 in Mpika. In July 2011, H.E Ignatius Chama was duly elected as President of the Catholic Bishops in Zambia under the umbrella body, the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC).

According to the Vatican Communiqué sent to ZEC, 12^th January, 2012, up until Bishop Chama is installed and takes canonical possession as Archbishop of Kasama, he will remain in-charge of the Diocese of Mpika and Msgr. Ignatius Mwebe will remain Apostolic Administrator of Kasama.

According to a statement issued by the Zambia Episcopal Conference Secretary general Father Cleophas Lungu,details for the installation for the new Archbishop of Kasama will be announced in due course. Whilst we gladly congratulate the Archbishop elect on his new ecclesiastical appointment, we call upon all Catholics and people of good will to fervently pray for him so that Good may continue to bless and guide him in his noble ministry.