By Arnold Neliba
NAIROBI, JUNE 6, 2023 (CISA)-Pope Francis has appointed Msgr Gian Luca Perici, nunciature counsellor, as Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi; Bishop Jean de Dieu Raoelison of Ambatondrazaka as archbishop of Antananarivo and Fr Alfred Chaima as bishop-elect for Zomba, Malawi.
The three appointments were made public on June 5 by the Holy See Press Office.
New Nuncio for Zambia and Malawi
Monsignor Gian Luca Perici was elevated from the position of nunciature counsellor to succeed Archbishop Gianfranco Gallone who was transferred to Uruguay on January 3, 2023.
“The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Msgr. Gian Luca Perici, nunciature counsellor, as apostolic nuncio in Zambia and Malawi, at the same time elevating him to the titular see of Bolsena, with the dignity of archbishop,” the announcement read in part.
Born in Bassano del Grappa, Vicenza, on September 17, 1964, Msgr Perici was ordained a priest on September 21, 1991, and incardinated in the Catholic Diocese of Velletri-Segni.
The graduate in canon law entered the Holy See Diplomatic Service on July 1, 2001, and has served in the apostolic nunciature in Mexico, Haiti, Malta, Angola, Brazil, Sweden, Spain and Portugal. He speaks French, English, Portuguese and Spanish.
New Bishop of Zomba
Fr Alfred Chaima, the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has been appointed as the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba.
The diocese became vacant on October 15, 2021, following the appointment of Archbishop George Desmond Tambala O.C.D as the local ordinary of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Lilongwe.
The bishop-elect was born on July 14, 1970, in Nambera, in the Catholic Archdiocese of Blantyre. He attended the Saint Pius XII Minor Seminary, and studied philosophy at Saint Anthony’s Major Seminary in Kachebere and theology at Saint Peter’s Major Seminary in Zomba, obtaining a diploma in theology from the University of Malawi.
He was ordained a priest on July 4, 1998, for the Archdiocese of Blantyre. He first served as a teacher at Saint Patrick’s secondary school and vicar of the Mzedi parish (1998-2000), parish priest of the Njuli parish (2000-2001), and rector and teacher at the Saint Pius XII Seminary (2000-2004).
He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in theology, a licentiate in pastoral theology, and a doctorate in theological philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi (2004-2010). He went on to hold the roles of professor at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (2006-2010 and 2016-2022), secretary to the archbishop of Blantyre and archdiocesan chancellor (2010-2012), deputy parish priest of the Cathedral and coordinator of the archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Limbe (2010-2014), director of the Nantipwili Pastoral Centre, archdiocese of Blantyre (2014-2022), and professor at the University of Malawi (2015-2022).
New Archbishop of Antananarivo
In Madagascar, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Antananarivo, Madagascar, presented by Archbishop Odon Marie Arsène Razanakolona and appointed Bishop Jean de Dieu Raoelison of Ambatondrazaka as the new archbishop.
The 59-year-old archbishop-elect was born on July 31, 1963. He was ordained a priest on September 7 1996.
At the age of 46, he was appointed the Auxiliary bishop of Antananarivo until April 11, 2015, when he was appointed Bishop of Ambatondrazaka.
He succeeds 77-year-old Archbishop Odon Marie Arsène Razanakolona emeritus of Antananarivo.
