TANZANIA: Prime Minister Hails the Late Cardinal Rugambwa
Prime Minister Mizengo
Pinda has commended the Bukoba Catholic diocese for its immense contribution in
improving peoples’ lives in various sectors including health and education.
Pinda has commended the Bukoba Catholic diocese for its immense contribution in
improving peoples’ lives in various sectors including health and education.
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| The Newly renovated Cathedral of the Diocese of Bukoba where Cardinal Rugambwa is buried officially |
Mr Pinda hailed the church during the official
reburial of the late Laurian Cardinal Rugambwa and consecration of the Bukoba
Cathedral.
He also paid tribute to
the late Cardinal Rugambwa, describing him as a true son of Africa and a
patriot who offered his whole life to serve all Tanzanians.
the late Cardinal Rugambwa, describing him as a true son of Africa and a
patriot who offered his whole life to serve all Tanzanians.
He noted that the
government appreciated the big contribution made by the late Cardinal Rugambwa
through construction of Rubya and Mugana hospitals, which were designated
district hospitals for Muleba and Misenyi respectively.
government appreciated the big contribution made by the late Cardinal Rugambwa
through construction of Rubya and Mugana hospitals, which were designated
district hospitals for Muleba and Misenyi respectively.
He also said the late
Cardinal Rugambwa made efforts to provide girls with quality education by
constructing Rugambwa Girls’ Secondary School.
Cardinal Rugambwa made efforts to provide girls with quality education by
constructing Rugambwa Girls’ Secondary School.
Meanwhile, the Bukoba
branch of the St Augustine University has been re-named Cardinal Rugambwa
University College, in honour of the late cardinal. This was announced by
Bukoba Catholic bishop Nestorius Timanywa during the same occasion.
branch of the St Augustine University has been re-named Cardinal Rugambwa
University College, in honour of the late cardinal. This was announced by
Bukoba Catholic bishop Nestorius Timanywa during the same occasion.
Laurian Cardinal Rugambwa,
who in 1960 became the first African Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church,
died on December 8, 1997 in Dar es Salaam at the age of 85. His elevation to
the College of Cardinals was a sign of the church’s recognition of its debt to
its non-European clergy, and of the growing importance of Catholic congregation
in parts of the world that had once been the domain of European missionaries.
who in 1960 became the first African Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church,
died on December 8, 1997 in Dar es Salaam at the age of 85. His elevation to
the College of Cardinals was a sign of the church’s recognition of its debt to
its non-European clergy, and of the growing importance of Catholic congregation
in parts of the world that had once been the domain of European missionaries.
Cardinal Rugambwa was an early
and active participant in the Second Vatican Council. He also stressed the
importance of involving the lay community in the work of the church. “In
the missions, where separation is a fact of everyday life, we have to be ready
to cooperate with non-Catholics in all possible ways. The church is not a
museum nor an archive, but a teacher of life,” he stressed.
and active participant in the Second Vatican Council. He also stressed the
importance of involving the lay community in the work of the church. “In
the missions, where separation is a fact of everyday life, we have to be ready
to cooperate with non-Catholics in all possible ways. The church is not a
museum nor an archive, but a teacher of life,” he stressed.
Born on July 12, 1912 of
an aristocratic family in Bukongo village-Kamachumu, in Muleba district,
Laurean Rugambwa was baptized by missionaries when he was eight years old with
the rest of his family.
an aristocratic family in Bukongo village-Kamachumu, in Muleba district,
Laurean Rugambwa was baptized by missionaries when he was eight years old with
the rest of his family.
After attending a seminary in Uganda, he was
ordained a priest on December 12, 1943. After working as a missionary in
western Africa for several years, he went to Rome in 1948 for higher studies at
the Urbaniana University where he graduated with a doctorate in Canon law.
ordained a priest on December 12, 1943. After working as a missionary in
western Africa for several years, he went to Rome in 1948 for higher studies at
the Urbaniana University where he graduated with a doctorate in Canon law.
He was appointed a bishop in 1951, and upon
returning to Tanganyika in 1952 he became the country’s first indigenous
bishop, serving the diocese of Rutabo. He was elevated Cardinal by Pope John
XX111 on March 28, 1960, becoming the first African cardinal. He was appointed
Archbishop of Dar es Salaam on December 19, 1968, relinquishing those duties in
1992 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 80.
returning to Tanganyika in 1952 he became the country’s first indigenous
bishop, serving the diocese of Rutabo. He was elevated Cardinal by Pope John
XX111 on March 28, 1960, becoming the first African cardinal. He was appointed
Archbishop of Dar es Salaam on December 19, 1968, relinquishing those duties in
1992 when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 80.
