TANZANIA – “It was my hope and conviction to serve the people of Mwanza to the end of my life,” says Archbishop Ruwa’ichi
Most Rev. Jude Thadaeus Ruwa'ichi, Newly appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam
Most Rev. Jude Thadaeus Ruwa’ichi, O.F.M. Cap. the newly appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam has thanked the Holy Father Pope Francis for his new assignment and promised to work in obedience and collaboration with the pontiff for the good of the people of God.
Speaking to AMECEA Online News via phone from Sumbawanga Diocese where he and other members of Tanzania Episcopal Conference are scheduled to participate in the ordination of the new Bishop of Sumbawanga on Saturday 23rd June, 2018, the Archbishop Ruwa’ichi said that he has served and worked with the people of Mwanza for the past eight years and was hoping to serve them to the end of his life.
“We should never forget the words of the Lord that the son of Man has nowhere to lay his head therefore we are called to serve the Church anywhere the Lord wills to send us and without planning or seeking; this year the Lord has appointed me elsewhere and I have accepted in my obedience,” he said.
“My word of encouragement to the people of Mwanza is that the Lord is our Pastor, and He will always find somebody else who will represent Him in guiding and serving his people. We should therefore continue to trust him and refer everything to him.”
Archbishop Ruwa’ichi’s message to the people of Dar-es-Salaam is that he looks forward to serving them to the best of his ability, with the Grace of God and he requests them to work with him in close collaboration in order to build the kingdom of God.
Archbishop Jude was born on January 1, 1954 at Mulo-Kilema parish of Moshi Diocese, Tanzania and was ordained a priest on November 25 ,1981.
After serving as a priest for 18 years he was appointed Bishop of Mbulu on 9th February, 1999, and served until 15th January, 2005 when he was appointed Bishop of Dodoma. Bishop Ruwa’ichi was later on elevated to become the Archbishop of Mwanza 10th November 2010. The Holy Father Pope Francis on Thursday 21st June 2018, appointed him Coadjutor Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam.
He has served as President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) from 2006 to July 2012.
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
