Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Cardinal Ivan Dias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, on April 7, 2009, appointed Fr. Benjamin Phiri, of the clergy of the Diocese of Chipata (Zambia), Rector of the Theological Interdiocesan Seminary of the Archdiocese of Lusaka (Zambia).
The new Rector was born on June 14, 1959 in Petauke, a village of Chimbwi (Zambia). After attending the Minor Seminary of Mukasa, he studied philosophy at the Mpima Major Seminary (1980-83) and theology at St. Dominic's Major Seminary (1983-86). He was ordained a priest in 1986 at the parish church of Petauke. He has since ministered as follows: Diocesan Director of Vocations (from 1986-1992) and parish priest in various communities (at the same time), Director of the Catechetical Training Center in Chikungo (1990-1996) and Director of the Pastoral Center of Chikungo (1993-1996); Secretary to the Bishop (1993-1997). From 1997-2002, he studied Canon Law at the Pontifical University Urbaniana, earning a Doctorate. Since 2002, he has served as National Pastoral Coordinator. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2009)