Protase Rugambwa
Protase Rugambwa (born 31 May 1960) is a Tanzanian prelate of the Catholic Church who has been named archbishop coadjutor of the Archdiocese of Tabora. 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.
Protase Rugambwa | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop Coadjutor elect of Tabora | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 13 April 2023 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2 September 1990 by Pope John Paul II |
| Consecration | 13 April 2008 by Polycarp Pengo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Protase Rugumbwa 31 May 1960 Bunena, Tanzania |
| Previous post(s) |
|
| Alma mater | Pontifical Lateran University |
| Styles of Protase Rugambwa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
Biography
Rugambwa was born in 1960 at Bunena, in the diocese of Bukoba. He had an elder brother, Paulo Kishumba (1957-2021).[1] After his primary and secondary schools in various seminaries and Minor Katoke Itaga, Rugambwa studied philosophy at Kibosho Senior Seminary and theology at St. Charles Lwanga Segerea Senior Seminary.
He was ordained priest on 2 September 1990 in Dar-es-Salaam by John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Tanzania, and incardiated the diocese of Rulenge.
After ordination he had the following activities:
- 1990-1991: Parish Vicar in the parish of Mabira
- 1991-1994: Teacher in the Minor Seminary of Katoke, in charge of the Liturgy and Diocesan Chaplain of the hospital Biharamulo
- 1994-1998: Studies for a doctorate in pastoral theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome (promotion)
- 1998-1999: Trainer of the spiritual year's seminarians, Director of Vocations in the Diocese of Rulenge, Executive Secretary of the Department of Pastoral Care
- 2000-2002: Vicar General of the diocese of Rulenge and Moderator of Personnel
- 2002-2008: Official of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
On 18 January 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Rugambwa Bishop of the Diocese of Kigoma, Tanzania.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on 13 April.
On 26 June 2012, Benedict appointed him adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and concurrently president of the Pontifical Mission Societies, replacing Archbishop Piergiuseppe Vacchelli, who had reached the retirement age. He was at the same time appointed Archbishop ad personam.[3]
On 9 November 2017 Pope Francis promoted him to secretary of the Congregation.[4]
On 13 April 2023, Pope Francis named him archbishop coadjutor of Tabora.[5]
Publication
Protase Rugambwa: Ministry and collaboration in small Christian communities: ″Communities in Rulenge Diocese-Tanzania, a case study″. Theological dissertation, Pontificia Università Lateranense, Rome, 1998.
References
- Richard A. Mjigwa (29 October 2021). "Dr. Paulo Kishumba, Kaka yake Askofu Mkuu Protase Rugambwa Amefariki Dunia". Vatican News (in Swahili). Retrieved 20 October 2022.
- "Rinunce e Nomine, 18.01.2008" (Press release) (in Italian). 18 January 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- "Rinunce e Nomine, 26.06.2012" (Press release) (in Italian). 26 June 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2017. Includes a biographical sketch.
- "Rinunce e Nomine, 09.11.2017" (Press release) (in Italian). 9 November 2017. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- "Resignations and Appointments, 13.04.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
External links
- ′Archbishop Protase Rugambwa′ in Catholic-hierarchy.org
