TANZANIA: Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop for Kahama Diocese

Paschal Mwanache and Dalfina Rubyema-Tanzania

The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Fr Christopher Ndizeye Nkoronko of the Catholic Diocese of Kigoma a new Bishop of Kahama Catholic Diocese.

Prior to this appointment, the Bishop-elect was the Vicar General and Secretary of the Pastoral Department of the Catholic Diocese of Kigoma.

According to a statement issued on June 23, 2022 by the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Fr Charles Kitima, Bishop-elect Ndizeye was born on March 25, 1970 in Kigoma.

Speaking with AMECEA Online Correspondence, the Bishop-elect has described his appointment as a blessing from God. He requested all the Catholic bishops in Tanzania to welcome and support him, adding that he is ready to learn and be guided by his predecessors.

He explained that on June 11 this year when he received a phone call from the Vatican Embassy in Tanzania informing him of his appointment, he was shocked and it took him a while to believe that what he was hearing was not a dream but a fact.

“It was 10:47 in the morning when I received a phone call from the Holy Father’s Embassy informing me that I had been appointed Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kahama… I had to give an answer whether I agreed or not… I actually asked him to give me some time, and he gave me two hours… I went to the Chapel first to surrender myself to the hands of God and after that I had to give the answer that I was ready to do the work of the Lord,” he said.

He added: “I know there are great responsibilities ahead of me, but God who sent me will guide me.

He said that he knows the Diocese of Kahama but not in detail as a pastor, so I am going to learn hoping that I will get cooperation from the priests, Consecrated persons and lay faithful,” he said.

The Bishop-elect was born on March 25, 1970 in Kalinzi, Kigoma Catholic Diocese. His academic journey and vocational story began at Katoke Sub-Seminary between 1986 and 1993; Ujiji Sub-Seminary between 1993 and 1994. He then went to do Philosophy at Kibosho Central Seminary in Moshi Diocese between 1994 and 1996. He continued his studies in theology, Segerea Central Seminary in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam between 1996 and 1999. Between 1999 and 2000, he practiced pastoral activities at Ujiji Sub-Seminary.

On July 5, 2001, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Kigoma following which he has served as Assistant Parish Priest of Kasulu Parish in Kigoma Catholic Diocese; Teacher and Guardian at Kipalapala Central Seminary, Tabora Archdiocese.

Between 2005 and 2008 he was sent by his diocese to Italy for further studies and rewarded a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies. He carried out his priestly mission in the Parish of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Heaven, Catholic Diocese of Catania between 2006 and 2008. After returning to Tanzania, he was sent by TEC to lecture at Kipalapala Major Seminary, Tabora Archdiocese .

Bishop Elect Ndizeye has also served as Director of the Laity Mission and served as a Parish Priest in several parishes of Kigoma Kigoma Diocese. Since 2011, he has been a Coordinator of Tanzania Family Strengthening, the Director of Pontifical Organizations PMS Catholic Diocese of Kigoma. From 2016 until his appointment, he was the Vicar general and the Director of the Pastoral Department of the Kigoma Catholic Diocese.