Elected Diocesan Administrator in Zambia Says He Relies "on goodwill, cooperation of all"

Writing on behalf of his brother Bishops, Bishop Lungu who is the Local Ordinary of Chipata Diocese congratulated Fr. Matepa and implored God’s graces upon him.

“I wish to congratulate him on his election and pray that God may always guide and bless him in his pastoral endeavours,” Bishop Lungu said in reference to Fr. Matepa and added, “He should be assured of our support.”

“In addition, we remain confident that Very Rev. Matepa will work well with the clergy, religious and the faithful of Mpika as they welcome him as the Administrator of the Diocese up to the time a new shepherd will be appointed,” the 60-year-old Zambian Prelate further stated in his letter.

Mpika diocese became vacant on March 20 following the death of Bishop Justin Mulenga. He had been undergoing treatment for heart and kidney related illnesses at the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. He was 65.

Since 2010, the new Diocesan Administrator, Fr. Matepa has been serving as ZCCB’s National Pastoral Coordinator.

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Born on November 5, 1969 within the Archdiocese of Kasama, Fr. Matepa was brought up in the neighbouring Mbala diocese, which now known as Mpika Diocese.

He started his journey to Priesthood in September 1989 and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Mpika in August 1996.

He ministered in a couple of Parishes before being appointed Diocesan Pastoral Coordinator in 1999. Eight years later, Fr. Matepa joined St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, USA where he obtained a Licentiate in Moral Theology.

He was a formator at St. Dominic's Major Seminary in Lusaka before his appointment at ZCCB.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.