Protase Rugambwa

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His Eminence

Protase Rugambwa
Cardinal, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora
Rugambwa in 2023.
ChurchCatholic Church
ArchdioceseTabora
SeeTabora
Appointed13 April 2023 (coadjutor)
Installed10 November 2023
PredecessorPaul R. Ruzoka
Other post(s)Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria in Montesanto (2023–)
Orders
Ordination2 September 1990
by Pope John Paul II
Consecration13 April 2008
by Polycarp Pengo
Created cardinal30 September 2023
by Pope Francis
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born (1960-05-31) 31 May 1960 (age 63)
Bunena, Tanzania
Previous post(s)
Alma materPontifical Lateran University
MottoEuntes in Mundum Universum
("Go into the whole world")
Coat of armsProtase Rugambwa's coat of arms
Styles of
Protase Rugambwa
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal

Protase Rugambwa (born 31 May 1960) is a Tanzanian prelate of the Catholic Church who has been metropolitan archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tabora since November 2023, after serving as coadjutor there for seven months. He was a secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from November 2017 to April 2023. He previously served as that congregation's adjunct secretary and president of the Pontifical Mission Societies from 2012 to 2017. Pope Francis made him a cardinal on 30 September 2023.

Biography[edit]

Protase Rugambwa was born on 31 May 1960 at Bunena, in the diocese of Bukoba. He had an elder brother, Paulo Kishumba (1957-2021).[1] He was given the name "Rugambwa" after Laurean Rugambwa, who had become Tanzania's first cardinal a few weeks earlier.[2] After attending primary and secondary schools and Minor Seminary Katoke Itaga, Rugambwa studied philosophy at Kibosho Senior Seminary and theology at St. Charles Lwanga Segerea Senior Seminary.[3]

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rulenge on 2 September 1990 in Dar-es-Salaam by Pope John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Tanzania,[4]

He was parish vicar of Mabira for 1990-91. He taught at the Minor Seminary of Katoke from 1991 to 1994, with responsibility for the liturgy and serving also as chaplain of Biharamulo hospital. From 1994 to 1998 he pursued a doctorate in pastoral theology at the Pontifical Lateran University. Returning to Tanzania, he was spiritual director of seminarians and director of vocations for the Diocese of Rulenge and executive director of the pastoral care department for 1998-99. From 2000 to 2002 he was Vicar General of the diocese of Rulenge and moderator of personnel. He worked in Rome on the staff of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2002 to 2008.[3]

On 18 January 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rugambwa bishop of the Diocese of Kigoma, Tanzania.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on 13 April[2] from Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam.

On 26 June 2012, Pope Benedict appointed him adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and president of the Pontifical Mission Societies, replacing Archbishop Piergiuseppe Vacchelli, who had reached retirement age. He was given the personal title of archbishop at the same time.[5] Pope Francis confirmed him as adjunct secretary on 21 September 2013.[6]

On 9 November 2017, Pope Francis promoted him to secretary of the Congregation.[7]

On 13 April 2023, Pope Francis named him archbishop coadjutor of Tabora.[8]

On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced the plans to make him a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September.[9] At that consistory he was made cardinal priest of Santa Maria in Montesanto.[10][11]

On 10 November 2023, he became archbishop of Tabora upon the resignation of Paul R. Ruzoka.[12]

Publication[edit]

Protase Rugambwa: Ministry and collaboration in small Christian communities: ″Communities in Rulenge Diocese-Tanzania, a case study", dissertation, Pontificia Università Lateranense, Rome, 1998.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mjigwa, Richard A. (29 October 2021). "Dr. Paulo Kishumba, Kaka yake Askofu Mkuu Protase Rugambwa Amefariki Dunia". Vatican News (in Swahili). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b Mzee wa Atikali (10 July 2023). "Getting to Know Archbishop Protase Rugambwa". The Chanzo Initiative. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Rinunce e Nomine, 18.01.2008" (Press release) (in Italian). 18 January 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  4. ^ Chimtom, Ngala Killian (20 July 2023). "Meet Pope Francis's new African cardinals". Crux. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 26.06.2012" (Press release) (in Italian). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  6. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 22.09.2013" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 09.11.2017" (Press release) (in Italian). 9 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  8. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 13.04.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  9. ^ "Le parole del Papa alla recita dell'Angelus, 09.07.2023" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Assignation of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals, 30.09.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  11. ^ France Media Agency and TCT (30 September 2023). "Protase Rugambwa: New Cardinal with vast experience in the Holy See". The Citizen (Tanzania) (TCT). Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Rinunce e nomine, 10.11.2023" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Protase Rugambwa.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Kigoma
18 January 2008 – 26 June 2012 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
26 June 2012 - 9 November 2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Tabora
2023- 		Incumbent
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