Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda

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Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda
Bishop of Mzuzu, Malawi
Church Catholic Church
Archdiocese Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe
SeeMzuzu
Appointed1 April 2025
Installed3 May 2025
Predecessor John Alphonsus Ryan
Successor Incumbent
Other post(s) Auxiliary Bishop of Muzuzu (5 May 2023 - 1 April 2025)
Orders
Ordination19 July 2008
Consecration5 August 2023
by  John Alphonsus Ryan
Personal details
Born
Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda

(1976-06-20) 20 June 1976 (age 48)
Wozi, Mzimba District, Diocese of Mzuzu, Malawi

Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda (born 20 June 1976) is a Malawian prelate of the Catholic Church who is the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu, Malawi since 1 April 2025. Before that, from 5 May 2023 until 1 April 2025, he was Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese of Mzuzu. He was appointed as bishop by Pope Francis. He was installed at Mzuzu as auxiliary bishop and as Titular Bishop of Catrum, on 5 August 2023 by the hands of Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan, Bishop of Mzuzu. On 1 April 2025, The Holy Father appointed him to succeed Bishop Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan who resigned as the Local Ordinary of Mzuzu Diocese. Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda was installed as Bishop of Mzuzu on 3 May 2025. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

He was born on 20 June 1976 in Wozi, Mzimba District, Diocese of Mzuzu in Malawi. He holds a Diploma in Ecclesiastical Canon Law, awarded by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya. [1] [2] His Diploma in Religious Formation and Spirituality, was obtained from Lumen Christi Institute, in Arusha, Tanzania. [3]

Priest

He was ordained priest of Mzuzu Diocese on 19 Jul 2008. [1] While a priest, he served as Director of Kasina Formation Centre from 2019 until 2023, Director and Formator at Christ the King Formation Centre in Rumphi, Parish Priest of Saint Augustine Parish and Vocations Director in Mzuzu Diocese. [2]

Bishop

On 5 May 2023, Pope Francis appointed Father Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda as auxiliary bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, Malawi. He was contemporaneously appointed Titular Bishop of Catrum. [1] [2]

He was consecrated and installed on 5 August 2023 by Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan, Bishop of Mzuzu assisted by Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, Archbishop of Lilongwe, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa, Archbishop of Blantyre and Bishop Martin Anwel Mtumbuka, Bishop of Karonga. [1] [4] The ceremony was held at Mzuzu Stadium. [5]

On 1 April 2025, Pope Francis accepted the resignation from pastoral care of Mzuzu Catholic Diocese presented by Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan. The Holy Father appointed Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda as his replacement. Bishop Nyirenda was installed as Local Ordinary at Mzuzu on 3 May 2025. [1] [6]

See also

Succession table

Catholic Church titles
Vacant Auxiliary Bishop of Mzuzu
5 May 2023 - 1 April 2025
Succeeded by
Preceded by
John Alphonsus Ryan
(26 April 2016 - 1 April 2025)
Bishop of Mzuzu
Since 1 April 2025
Succeeded by

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 David M. Cheney (2 April 2025). "MicroData Summary for Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda (born 20 June 1976) Bishop of Mzuzu". Catholic-Hierarchy.org . Kansas City. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Andrew Kaufa (5 May 2023). "Malawi: Pope Francis Appoints Auxiliary Bishop for Mzuzu: Fr Yohane Nyirenda". Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA). Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  3. Silas Isenjia (5 May 2023). "Pope Appoints Auxiliary Bishop in Malawi, Archbishop in Mozambique". ACI Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  4. Francis Demaseke (11 August 2024). "Malawi: Monsignor Suzgo Yohane Nyirenda Consecrated Auxiliary Bishop for Mzuzu Diocese". Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA). Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  5. Nation Online (5 August 2024). "Chakwera In Mzuzu For Bishop Consecration". Nation Online Malawi . Blantyre, Malawi. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  6. Valeriano Matseka (1 April 2025). "Rt Rev Yohane Nyirenda appointed Bishop of Mzuzu". Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops. Lilongwe, Malawi. Retrieved 4 May 2025.