TANZANIA: Rev. Masondole is Consecrated and Installed as Bishop of Bunda Diocese
Rev. Simon Masondole has been consecrated bishop and installed as the Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Bunda, an event which took place on 4th July 2021 at Bunda Cathedral grounds.
Sarah Pelaji
Rev. Simon Masondole has been consecrated bishop and installed as the Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Bunda, an event which took place on 4th July 2021 at Bunda Cathedral grounds.
During the occasion, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mwanza Most. Rev. Renatus Nkwande who presided the Eucharistic celebration has called on the new bishop to be a good shepherd, uphold God’s teachings in Sacred Scriptures and proclaim the word of God without fear of telling the truth.
Most. Rev. Nkwande who has been apostolic administrator of Bunda Diocese has further asked the new bishop to stand firm in condemn the evil including those who manufacture and sell contraceptives.
Archbishop Nkwande also appealed to the faithful of Bunda Diocese to respect a new bishop and corporate with him without malice as Bishop Masondole is the chosen one by God to be their shepherd.
“As a bishop, serve do not rule; preach the Word of God at all times; warn with wisdom; and love your sheep,” said Bishop Nkwande.
He urged the new bishop to love all those entrusted to him by Christ – the poor and rich, to listen to all including those who do not yet know Jesus.
According to the Archbishop of Mwanza, a good shepherd has the responsibility to seek the lost sheep and bring them back into the flock of Christ. He also emphasized the need to work with other churches in the Name of the Holy Spirit who unites all.
Various government officials witnessed the consecration and installation of Bishop Masondole a new bishop of Bunda Diocese including Prime Minister Kassimu Majaliwa, the Retired Speaker of Parliament of United Republic of Tanzania Pius Msekwa, the Mara Regional Commissioner Ally Hapi, Mara District Commissioners and others.
Prime Minister Majaliwa, on behalf of the President of Tanzania Madam Samia Suluhu Hassani said it is a blessing for the people of Bunda to get a new bishop. He promised Bishop Masondole cooperation and support from government to develop the society both spiritually and materially.
The President of Tanzania Episcopal Conference Most. Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga on behalf of Catholic bishops in the country congratulated the new bishop and welcomed him as a new member among them.
Appreciating the faithful of Bunda Diocese for their patience in waiting for the new bishop. Archbishop Nyaisonga encouraged Bishop Masondole to rely on God’s province as he takes up the episcopate tasks while insisting that God is the strength of the bishop in his new mission.
Bunda Diocese fell vacant following the appointment of its former bishop Rev. Renatus Nkwande by Pope Francis as the Archbishop of Mwanza Archdiocese, on February 11, 2019.
Bishop Masondole becomes the second bishop to lead Bunda Diocese which was established by Pope Francis in 2010. He was born on October 2, 1972 in Bukiko, Ukerewe, in Bunda. He was ordained a deacon on January 25, 2006 at St. Karoli Lwanga Major Seminary, Segerea, Dar es Salaam and was ordained a priest on July 2, 2006 at Nyamanga Catholic Parish, Ukerewe –Bunda (by then under Mwanza Archdiocese).
Later in 2008 he was sent by the Catholic Diocese of Bunda for further studies in the Liturgy of the Church at the Institute of Liturgy Pastoral Affairs “Santa Giustina”, Padua Catholic Diocese, Italy.
From 2016-2018 Rt. Rev. Masondole went for further studies at the Pontifical Institute for the Liturgy, St. Anselm’s University in Rome where he was awarded a Master’s degree in Church Liturgy.
Until his appointment as a new Bishop of Bunda Diocese he was a lecturer at St. Karol Lwanga (Segerea) Major Seminary in Dar es Salaam.
