Diocese of Northern Malawi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
| Ecclesiastical province | Church of the Province of Central Africa |
| Archdeaconries | 6[1] |
| Statistics | |
| Parishes | 32[1] |
| Information | |
| Rite | Anglican |
| Established | 1995 |
| Cathedral | St Peter's Cathedral, Likoma |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Fanuel Magangani |
| Map | |
 Location of the diocese within Malawi | |
| Website | |
| nmalawianglican | |
TheDiocese of Northern Malawi is one of the four dioceses of theChurch of the Province of Central Africa inMalawi. Its third bishop, since 2010, has beenFanuel Magangani. While the diocese itself only dates to 1995, its territory includes the heartland of Anglicanism in central Africa. The diocese's cathedral isSt Peter's Cathedral onLikoma Island, which was built from 1903 to 1911 and was the hub of theUniversities' Mission to Central Africa in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Anglicanism in Malawi dates back to the 19th century and the missionary activity ofDavid Livingstone and theUniversities' Mission to Central Africa. It took organizational form in 1892, when the first bishop ofNyasaland was appointed with his see onLikoma Island, whereSt Peter's Cathedral was completed in 1911. Over the course of the 20th century, the diocese's territory narrowed to the boundaries of present-day Malawi. In 1971, the diocese was divided between theDiocese of Lake Malawi (based at Likoma) and the Diocese of Southern Malawi.[2][3]
Josiah Mtekateka, who had become the first indigenous Malawian Anglican bishop when he was made suffragan bishop of Malawi in 1965, became the first diocesan bishop of Lake Malawi. Mtekateka was succeeded byPeter Nyanja in 1978, and under Mtekateka and Nyanja's indigenous Malawian leadership the diocese became more representative. Synods began to conduct business inChewa, lay participation and women's participation in governance rose, and worship began to include locally composed hymns set to Malawian tunes.[4]
In 1995, the Diocese of Northern Malawi was created out of the Diocese of Lake Malawi. St Peter's Cathedral became the cathedral of the northern diocese.[5]: 89 The first bishop of the new diocese was American priestJackson Biggers, who had served extensively in Malawi.[6] During Biggers' tenure, a partnership was formed with theEpiscopal Diocese of Fort Worth.[7] Biggers also invited the Anglican sisters of theCommunity of St. Mary to establish a house in Malawi.[8]
Biggers was succeeded by British priestChristopher Boyle, who was followed in 2010 byFanuel Magangani, the diocese's first indigenous African bishop.[9] Under Magangani, the Bible Society of Malawi completed the translation of the New Testament intoLambya, marking the final New Testament translation project for aMalawian tribal language. The diocese conducts services in Lambya at its church inChitipa.[10]
In 2023, the Church of the Province of Central Africa approved plans for the Malawian dioceses to become recognized as an autonomous province of theAnglican Communion. As part of these plans, the Diocese of Northern Malawi would be divided into two.[11]
| No. | Name | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson Biggers | 1995–2000 | |
| 2 | Christopher Boyle | 2001–2009 | Translated toLeicester |
| 3 | Fanuel Magangani | Since 2010 |
TheDiocese of Birmingham in theChurch of England[12]
TheDiocese of Dallas in theEpiscopal Church[12] TheDiocese of Fort Worth in theAnglican Church in North America[13]-->