The Right Rev. Ignatius Chama
Bishop of Mpika
Born on 12th August 1957 at Mutono’s Village in Kawambwa in the Diocese of Mansa, Luapula Province.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on 12th August 1984, for the Diocese of Mansa.
On 17th July 2008 he was appointed Bishop of Mpika, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia, Archbishop Nicola Girasoli, consecrated him on 28th September 2008.
An extract from the “Our Diocese Newsletter” from October 2008
Episcopal Ordination and Enthronment of the Rt. Rev. Ignatius Chama as Bishop of Mpika
At the end of mass the outgoing Apostolic Administrator, Fr. Robert Lavertu, welcomed the new Bishop to the diocese on behalf of us all, thanking the Diocese of Mansa for the gift of the new Bishop to Mpika. In his turn the new Bishop thanked everyone for their part in the preparation and celebration of the feast and for the warm welcome given to him, pledging to work with all for an integral development of the Diocese of Mpika. After Mass invited guests were treated to a superb luncheon in the Warehouse which had been transformed into a reception venue truly worthy of the function and the occasion. One of the highlights of entertainment in the course of the shared meal was a memorable performance by children from St. Theresa Convent School, Ichengelo Parish, called “A Toast of Joy”.
The Diocese of Mpika remained without a bishop after the transfer of the Rt. Rev. Telesphore-George Mpundu as Archbishop to Lusaka Archdiocese. A long period of waiting came to an end with the announcement of the name of the new Bishop on 17th July 2008. The day of the ordination of the new Bishop Ignatius Chama was Sunday, the 28th of September 2008.
This Sunday was not just an ordinary day or an ordinary Sunday. It was a day of destiny; it was indeed the Lord’s Day in which it was really fitting to be glad and to rejoice. With God there are no “accidents”, everything that happens is taken on board in His Economy of Salvation. It is, therefore, not a mere coincidence, the Apostolic Nuncio reminded us during his inspiring homily, that on 28 September Pope John Paul II, of happy memory, was ordained a priest 62 years ago; also, late Bishop Dennis de Jong was ordained and enthroned as Bishop of Ndola on 28 September, 33 years ago. It was on 28 September that our new Shepherd was to be ordained and enthroned as Bishop of Mpika!
At 09.45 sharp the colourful procession began, headed by the Cross Bearer who was followed by Altar Boys in red and white; behind them were the Stella Maria Girls in Chitenge dresses and stockings, silver white crowns and white shoes. The “Buomba”, in imposing uniform of restrained colour preceded the long line of seminarians, priests and bishops dancing gracefully to complement the Stella-Girls. At the rear was the Bishop-Elect flanked by the fathers Telesphore Kabiti and Justin Chomba, then the Co-consecrators, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kasama James Spaita and Rt. Rev. George Lungu, Bishop of Chipata and President of the Bishops’ Conference, and finally the Chief Consecrator and Main Celebrant, His Excellency, the Most Rev. Nicola Girasoli, Apostolic Nuncio to Zambia and Malawi. It was a sight to behold which sent a shiver of excitement and heightened the sense of anticipation among the worshipping faithful. When the procession arrived at the altar, the congregation, led by the Ordination Choir erupted into a joyous hymn of praise.
After the Gospel, which was wonderfully and flawlessly chanted by Deacon Victor Kangwa the instant we had all been waiting for arrived. There was a lengthy moment of total silence as the Bishop-Elect emerged from behind the congregation to respond to the call. It was as if the stream of time had come to a standstill. Then, when the beautifully dressed Stella-Girls, dancing ever so gracefully and spreading flowers along the way of the Bishop-Elect as they led him to the altar flanked by Fathers Kabiti and Chomba the congregation burst out into a joyous hymn. It filled one with tears and made God’s glory and majesty almost tangible among the worshipers.
No doubt, the climax of the ceremony was the moment of consecration after which the Bishop-Elect irrevocably became a Bishop. This was followed by the rite of enthronement in which the newly ordained, crosier in hand, was made to sit on the bishop’s chair or “Cathedra” as the new Bishop of Mpika. This ritual was greeted by a thunderous roar of applause from the congregation followed by a hymn of jubilation that gave one the feeling of closeness in the arms of eternal joy and happiness. It followed a touching “Kiss of Peace” by which, beginning with the Consecrator and Co-consecrators, the Bishops congratulated their new fellow Bishop Ignatius Chama and wished him well in his Episcopal ministry to the accompaniment of appropriate hymns from the Choir. Bishop Chama then went to greet members of his family, government representatives and distinguished invited guests. The clergy of the diocese and major superiors or representatives of the religious working in Mpika Diocese greeted him and expressed allegiance to the new Shepherd.
