Pope Appoints New 21 Cardinals including Arch Bishop Rugambwa of Tanzania

The Holy Father Pope Francis named 21 new Cardinals including The Coadjutor Arch bishop of Tabora Protase Rugambwa who in his last ten years served in different Vatican Offices.

 

The pope made the announcement at the end of his weekly Sunday Angelus prayer from a window in the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square where also he revealed that he will official install the new Cardinals on September 30 this years.

 

Pope Francis in his Speech said that the new cardinals represent the universality of the global church and the “inseparable link” between him and the Diocese around the world.

 

The famous name in the list are Vatican ambassador to Us Arch Bishop Christophe Pierre and the Arch Bishop Robert Prevost who his main responsibility is to oversees the appointments of bishops Worldwide and also the new head of of the Vatican Doctrinal office Arch bishop Victor Manuel Fernandes.

 

A parts from Arch Bishop Rugambwa from Tanzania also the others names within Amecea regions is Arch Bishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, Archbishop of Juba, South Sudan where Pope visited in his last tour in Africa.

 

Arch bishop Protase Rugambwa was born in 31 may 1960 in Bunena Village in the Diocese of Bukoba, 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 Pope John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Tanzania and incardiated the Diocese of Rulenge Ngara.

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 Pointifacal Lateran Universitin 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:Vical 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,He received his episcopal consecration on 13 April.

On 26 June 2012, Benedict appointed him adjunct secretary of the Congregation of Evangelisation of the People 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.

On 9 November 2017 Pope Francis promoted him to secretary of the Congregation.

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

On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced he plans to make him a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September.