Diocese of Upper Shire | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | Malawi |
| Ecclesiastical province | Central Africa |
| Statistics | |
| Parishes | 41 |
| Schools | 69 |
| Information | |
| Rite | Anglican |
| Established | 2002 |
| Cathedral | Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral Church,Mangochi |
| Secular priests | 58 |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | William Mchombo |
| Map | |
 Location of the diocese within Malawi | |
TheDiocese of Upper Shire is a diocese of theChurch of the Province of Central Africa. One of the church's four dioceses inMalawi, it was formed in 2002 out of theDiocese of Southern Malawi. As of 2025, the diocese had 58 priests serving in 41 parishes.[1]
The diocese was split from theDiocese of Southern Malawi and its first bishop wasBernard Malango, a Zambian bishop who also served asarchbishop of Central Africa during his tenure. The diocese inherited much of the physical infrastructure of the Diocese of Southern Malawi, including the diocesan headquarters and bishop's residence inMalosa.[2]: 194 The second bishop,Brighton Vita Malasa, was elected by the epicopal synod of the province in 2008 after six votes at the diocesan level failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority.[3]
Malasa's 14-year tenure included significant controversy. In 2019, with some members of the diocese seeking Malasa's ouster over charges of abuse of power and financial impropriety, Malasa called police on his critics within the diocese.[4] Later that year, 39 of 41 parishes in the diocese signed a petition alleging corruption, harassment and "maladministration" and demanding the bishop's resignation.[5] In response, Malasaexcommunicated 28 priests and additional laity who had opposed his decisions. He later reversed this action after consulting with ArchbishopAlbert Chama.[6] Protests against Malasa continued throughout 2020 and 2021.[7] Malasa refused to resign without receiving aK1 billion (US$1053697.48) severance package.[8][9]
In October 2022, Chama excommunicated Malasa under thecanons of the church for refusing to meet with him over the charges, which in addition to financial impropriety also includedadultery.[8][9] Following Malasa's excommunication and after the diocese was unable to reach agreement on a new bishop, Bishop of Eastern Zambia William Mchombo was selected by the province's episcopal synod as the third bishop of Upper Shire.[10] He was enthroned at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral on May 18, 2024.[11]
After the Province of Central Africa allowed individual dioceses toordain women as priests in 2024, the Diocese of Upper Shire reaffirmed its policy of ordaining only men to priesthood.[12]
Under Bishop Malasa, the diocese participated in theGates Foundation-funded Health Population Project and observed August 25, 2013, as "a special day for teaching people on the effects of overpopulation."[13] The diocese also operates several health facilities, including a health sciences college, two hospitals and eight community health centres.[14][15]
The diocese has promoted tree planting as part of its environmental stewardship activities. In 2016, Beautify Malawi Trust patronGertrude Mutharika announced aK3.5 million (US$4874.62) donation to the diocese for its tree-planting activities.[16] These activities continued under Mchombo with a focus on mitigating contributing factors to and effects of climate change.[17]
Starting in 2017, the diocese has operated an ecumenical scholarship programme with theRoman Catholic Diocese of Mangochi. Funded by overseas donors, the programme provides €600 scholarships for tuition, room, board, uniform and other expenses for poor children to attend boarding schools.[18]
In 2025, the diocese launched a savings ministry in 19 parishes funded by British charityFive Talents. The initiative is intended to providefinancial literacy training and encourage participants to form savings groups.[19]
| No. | Name | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bernard Malango | 2002–2007 | Translated fromNorthern Zambia; alsoArchbishop of Central Africa |
| 2 | Brighton Vita Malasa | 2009–2022 | Excommunicated by provincial episcopal synod |
| 3 | William Mchombo | 2024–present | Translated fromEastern Zambia |
TheDiocese of Birmingham in theChurch of England[20]
St. John's Vancouver in theAnglican Church in North America'sDiocese of Canada (since 2003)[14]