History of the Diocese

The Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu was erected first as a Prefecture Apostolic of Northern Nyassa (Nyassae Septentrionalis) on 8th May 1947 with Fr. Marcel Saint-Denis' election on 13th June 1947 as the first administrator. Later, it was created as a Diocese on 17th January 1961 and on the 3rd March of the same year, Fr Jean Louis Jobidon was appointed the first Bishop of the Diocese. He was consecrated on 22nd May 1961 and on the same day, he took canonical possession of the Episcopal See of the Diocese. He later on abdicated office due to ill health.

Monsignor John Vincent Roche of the St Patrick's Missionary Society was then appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese by the Holy See. He became the head of the Diocese on 10th November 1987.

On 3rd March 1995, Fr. Joseph Mukasa Zuza was appointed Bishop of Mzuzu and took canonical possession of the Episcopal See of the Diocese on 6th May 1995 until his untimely death on 15th January 2015. Following the death of Bishop Joseph Mukasa Zuza, Monsignor Albert Michael Muwowo was appointed the Diocesan Administrator following the sede vacante.

On 26th April 2016, Pope Francis appointed Fr. John Alphonsus Ryan, a member of the St Patrick's Society, as the Bishop of the Diocese of Mzuzu. On 27th August 2017, he was consecrated the third Bishop of the Diocese. On the same day, he took the canonical possession of the Vacant Episcopal See of the Diocese until his resignation on 1st April 2025.

On 3rd May 2023, Pope Francis elected Fr Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Mzuzu and he was consecrated as Bishop on 25th August 2023. Auxiliary Bishop Yohane S. Nyirenda was appointed the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Mzuzu and was installed on 3rd May 2025 upon which he took canonical possession of the Vacant Episcopal See of the Diocese as Bishop.