AMECEA: “You are Anchor of Pastoral Solidarity,” AMECEA Chairman Congratulates Cardinal Pengo
His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo Archbishop-emeritus of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
Ahead of golden jubilee of the priestly ordination for His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo Archbishop-emeritus of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam scheduled for Sunday, June 20, the Chairman for Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has congratulated the Cardinal for many years of service in the region and beyond, referring to him as a “pillar” to the Catholic Bishops.
In a statement signed by the AMECEA Chairman Rt. Rev. Charles Sampa Kasonde on behalf of the bishops he says, “You became a recognized anchor of pastoral solidarity in the region, more especially when you became one of the patrons of AMECEA in February 1998.”
He acknowledged the Cardinal as a loving and caring Shepherd who is committed to his responsibilities and who never “missed out from Executive Board and Plenary Assembly meetings except for good reason such as health problems.”
Cardinal Pengo was ordained a priest of Sumbawanga Diocese on 20 June 1971, appointed the Local Ordinary of Nachingwea Diocese, Tanzania in November 1983 and ordained bishop in January 1984. Six years later he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam and succeeded His Eminence Laurean Cardinal Rugambwa on 22 July 1992 as the Archbishop of the same Metropolitan See.
Recalling Cardinal Pengo’s contribution in the region through his encouragement to the bishops, the Chairman of AMECEA who is the Local Ordinary of Solwezi Diocese in Zambia said, “You reminded us that “the ever changing cultural and political environment, both in Eastern Africa and the entire continent still calls for even greater collaboration.”
He added, “You called on the church leaders in the region to be “committed to the goals of working together, and indeed, we are proud of what AMECEA has achieved – thanks to your generosity and commitment.”
Cardinal Pengo who served as the President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) from 2007 to 2009, retired as Archbishop of Dar es Salaam in August 2019 after attaining the prescribed age of retirement in accordance with the Code of Canon Law, and he was succeeded by Archbishop Jude Thadaeus Ruwa’ichi a member of the Order of Friars minor Capuchin (OFM Cap).
The Sunday celebration will take place at Msimbazi grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
