TANZANIA: Pope Francis Appoints Archbishop Rugambwa Vatican Ambassador to New Zealand
Pope Francis has appointed Most. Rev. Novatus Rugambwa nuncio to New Zealand and Apostolic Delegate to countries of the Pacific Ocean. The appointment was made on 3rd April 2019.
Prior to his appointment, Archbishop Rugambwa was the Vatican Ambassador in Honduras.
Auxiliary Bishop of Bukoba Diocese Rt. Rev. Methodius Kilaini said that, he was excited by this news because he knows Archbishop Rugambwa as his student in the seminary.
“He is intelligent, humble, prudent and God fearing person. He can do anything in any position he performs effectively and efficiently. He is not complicated and can work anywhere,” he said.
He also said that Archbishop Rugambwa calledas a priest from Bukoba Diocese, to thank him for the formation and he sounded composed, cool and appreciated his appointment and promised that he will do his best in the new mission.
He also said that, it is not the first time for Archbishop Rugambwa to work in Newzland. He has been there as a secretary of Papal Nuncio to Newzland.
He also gave out the profile of Archbishop Rugambwa saying that, he was born on 8th October 1957 as the second child of Mr. Benedict and Mrs. Leocadia Rwechungura. He was baptized on 3rdNovember 1957 in Bukoba, Tanzania.
He received his lower primary education at Nyakatare Catholic Primary School in Bukoba from 1964 to 1968 when he was admitted to the Preparatory Seminary of Rutabo in Bukoba Diocese, where he completed his upper primary education in 1971.
From 1972 to 1975 he received his ordinary level secondary school education at St. Mary Minor Seminary, Rubya in Bukoba, followed by the High School Education at Itaga Minor Seminary in Tabora, Central Tanzania, from 1976 – 1977.
In 1978 he joined the mandatory military service which was obligatory for all Tanzanians who have accomplished the High School Education.
In 1979 – 1981 he was admitted to Ntungamo Regional Major Seminary in Bukoba Tanzania for studies in Philosophy.
1981 – 1984: he frequented the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, obtaining the BA degree in Theology.
1984 -1986: He taught at St. Mary Seminary, Rubya, and helped in the pastoral work at Nshamba Parish in Bukoba Diocese.
On 5th January 1986: he was ordained a deacon by His Excellency Bishop Nestor Timanywa, Bishop of Bukoba, in the “Mater Misericordiae” Cathedral Church of Bukoba.
On 6th July 1986: Deacon Novatus was ordained to the priesthood and was incardinated in the Diocese of Bukoba, Tanzania. He was appointed Assistant Parish Priest at Nshamba Parish in the same diocese.
1987 – 1991: Father Rugambwa was admitted to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in Rome for courses in the Pontifical Diplomacy and, simultaneously, frequented the Pontifical Urban University where he obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law.
Fr. Rugambwa joined the Diplomatic service of the Holy See in July 1991 and has served in the following countries: 1991 – 1994, Panama, Central America; 1994 – 1997, Congo Brazzaville in Central Africa; 1997 – 2000, Pakistan in South West Asia; 2000 – 2004, New Zealand and Oceania; 2004 – 2007, Indonesia in South East Asia
On 28th June 2007, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, appointed him as Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council of the Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerant People.
On March 18, 2010,
pope Benedict XVI (now retired), appointed Fr. Novatus Rugambwa as Archbishop and Vatican Ambassador to Angola, Sao Tome, Honduras now New Zealand.
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Sarah Pelaji
