Appointed apostolic administrator of the new Diocese in 1958.
Ordained a bishop on June 29, 1959.
Retired on June 21, 1987.

In 1958, with the establishment of the Hierarchy of Northern Rhodesia and Nyassaland, the vicariate became a diocese. Fr. Adolf Fürstenberg was appointed apostolic administrator of the newly created Diocese. The Diocese changed name when in November 1967 the township of Abercorn reverted to its old name of Mbala.

The "Bishop Adolf Fürstenberg" Trust-Fund