AFRICA/TANZANIA - Rev. Protase Rugambwa, officer at the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, appointed Bishop of Kigoma

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 18 January 2008 appointed Rev. Protase Rugambwa of the clergy of Rulenge (Tanzania), presently officer at the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Bishop of the diocese of Kigoma (Tanzania).
The Bishop elect was born on 31 May 1960 at Bunena, diocese of Bukoba. He attended local primary schools 1967 to 1975, and then went to minor seminaries in Katoke and Itaga. He studied philosophy at Kibosho Senior Seminary and Theology at St. Charles Lwanga Segerea Senior Seminary. He was ordained a priest on 2 September 1990, in Dar-es-Salaam, by the Servant of God John Paul II, during the Holy Father's pastoral visit to Tanzania, and incardinated in the diocese of Rulenge. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1990-1991: assistant priest at Mabira parish; 1991-1994: teacher at Katoke minor seminary, diocesan delegate for Liturgy and Hospital Chaplain at Biharamulo; 1994-1998: Studies for a doctorate in pastoral theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome; 1998-1999: Spiritual year Formator for seminarians, vocations director in the diocese of Rulenge, diocesan pastoral department executive secretary; 2000-2002: diocese of Rulenge Vicar General and Staff Moderator. Since 2002 officer at the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 18/1/2008; Righe 16; Parole 218)