By CISA
VATICAN, JULY 3, 2020 (CISA)-Pope Francis has appointed Rt. Rev. Benjamin Phiri as the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ndola, Vatican News has reported July 3.
Until his July 3 appointment to Ndola,Bishop Phiri has been serving as the Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata, Zambia since 2011, and Rector of St. Dominic’s Major Seminary in Lusaka, Zambia since 2004.
Bishop-elect Phiri was born on June 14, 1959 in Chongololo, (Petuake District) Chipata, and was ordained to the priesthood on September 14, 1986 for the Catholic diocese of Chipata.
After his studies at the Minor Seminary in Monze, he studied philosophy at St. Augustine Seminary, Kabwe, and theology at St. Dominic’s Major Seminary, Lusaka.
His assignments after ordination include: Parocchial Vicar of Mbwindi, Chipata (1986 – 1988); Director of Vocational Pastoral Ministry of Chipata Diocese (1987–1993), Parish priest in Chadiza, Chipata (1988–1990); Director of the Pastoral and Catechetical Center, Chikungu (1990 – 1997); Personal Secretary to the then Bishop of Chipata, Bishop MedardoMazombwe (1993–1997).
Between 1997–2002, Bishop Phiri attended the Pontifical Urban University (Urbaniana) in Rome where he obtained a licentiate in Canon Law. He subsequently served as the National Director of the Pastoral Office of the Zambian Bishops’ Conference from 2002–2004.
