New diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi

Faston M. Phiri was consecrated bishop of the new diocese in Blantyre.

On October 27, 2024, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi (ELCM), a partner church of the ELM, celebrated the official opening of a new diocese in Blantyre, in the south of Malawi. At the same time, Pastor Faston M. Phiri was consecrated bishop of this diocese.

The ELCM is thus implementing a restructuring process that has been ongoing for several years. The nationally established Lutheran church is being divided into three dioceses in the north (Karonga), in the central region (Lilongwe) and in the south (Blantyre) in line with the political division of the country. This should relieve the burden on the existing church headquarters in the capital Lilongwe and improve accessibility and local presence in the regions.

"We are confident that this development will help to further root the Lutheran Church in the Malawian regions and attract a growing number of Malawians to the various activities and broad-based congregational life of the Lutheran Church," says ELM Director Dr. Emmanuel Kileo.

Blantyre is not only the southern economic metropolis of Malawi, but also a long-standing official twin city of Hanover, with regular exchange programmes and visits.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi (ELCM) was founded in 1982 at the initiative of local parishioners and with the support of the church in Tanzania. A partnership with the ELM has existed since 1986. According to its own information, the church has around 150,000 members, mainly in rural regions, divided into 20 church districts and 83 congregations and congregations in the process of being founded. Around 70 pastors work for the church, the first female pastor was ordained in 2021.

With the installation of Faston M. Phiri, a third bishop will lead the church in the future alongside Joseph Bvumbwe and Alick Mzuku. Before moving to the regional bishop's seat in Blantyre, Bishop Phiri served long term as the person responsible for theological training in ELCM in Lilongwe. Through numerous diaconal projects, for example in the areas of education, health and climate protection, the church is committed to social justice and creating better living conditions for people; in this it is also supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Mission in Lower Saxony.