Bishop's Profile
Meet the shepherds of the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu
Rt Rev. Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda
Bishop of Mzuzu
Appointed: 1st April 2025 | Installed: 3rd May 2025
Biography
The Local Ordinary of the Diocese is His Lordship Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, born on 20th June 1976 at Wozi in Mzimba District. He was ordained a priest on 19th July 2008 for the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu by Rt. Rev. Joseph Mukasa Zuza.
As a priest he served in different roles and capacities such as parochial vicar, parish priest, member of the College of Consultors, member of the Diocesan Tribunal, Vocations Director and Rector of Christ the King Formation Centre (Rumphi) and later on of Katsina Formation Centre (Dedza).
On 5th May 2023, Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Yohane S. Nyirenda as Auxiliary Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese (Titular Bishop of Catrum) and was ordained bishop on 5th August 2023.
On 1st April 2025, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Mzuzu and was installed on 3rd May 2025 at Mzuzu Stadium (St. Peter's Cathedral Parish). He succeeded His Lordship John A. Ryan who retired on 1st April 2025.
Rt Rev. John Alphonsus Ryan
Bishop Emeritus
Born: 27th February 1952 | Resigned: 1st April 2025
Biography
Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan, born 27th February 1952 at Tipperary, Archdiocese of Cashel-Emily in Ireland, is the Bishop Emeritus of Mzuzu Diocese.
He was ordained a priest of St. Patrick's Missionary Society on 18th June 1978 at Holy Cross Abbey, Tipperary, Archdiocese of Cashel-Emily in Ireland.
On 26th April 2016 he was appointed Bishop of Mzuzu and was consequently ordained bishop on 27th August 2016 at Mzuzu Stadium (St. Peter's Cathedral Parish).
He resigned as Bishop of Mzuzu on 1st April 2025. He was appointed as Apostolic Administrator of Mzuzu Diocese until 3rd May 2025.
He is the principal consecrator of Bishop Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda (2023) and Bishop Vincent Fredrick Mwakhwawa (2024).
Clergy Directorate
Vicar General
Very Rev Fr John Isaac Katumbi
Judicial Vicar
Rev Fr Daniel Chasowa Kamanga JCD
Chancellor
Fr Philip Nkunika
Pastoral Secretary
Rev Fr Raymond Mwale