Bishop of Monze
Raphael Mweempwa was born on March 30, 1974, in Monze. He studied Philosophy at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Mpima-Kabwe from 1996 to 1998 and subsequently Theology at St. Dominic Major Seminary in Lusaka from 1998 to 2002, obtaining a Diploma in Philosophy and Religious Studies and a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, respectively. In 2002, he continued his studies at the Lumko Institute in South Africa, earning certificates in Pastoral Ministry and Catechesis, followed by a certificate in Psychological Counselling in Zambia (2005–2006). From 2007 to 2010, he earned a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, and in 2016, he attended courses at the Apostolic Signatura and the Roman Rota. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Monze on June 29, 2002. He has held the following positions: Parochial Vicar (2002–2004) and Parish Priest (2004–2007) of St. Mary's Parish in Choma; member of the Diocesan Catechetical Commission (2006–2007); Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Wayside in Manungu, in the same diocese (2010–2012); Diocesan Chancellor (2011–2012); member of the Council for Economic Affairs (2011–2019); Vocations Director and Coordinator of the Formation Team for the Diocese of Monze (2012–2016); member of the Presbyteral Council and the Catechetical Commission (2013–2019); Coordinator of the Diocesan Translation Team (2015–2019); and, since 2019, Professor of Canon Law and formator at St. Dominic Major Theological Seminary in Lusaka.