TANZANIA: Pope Francis Appoints New Bishop of Tanga Diocese, Tanzania

Pascal Mwanache

The Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Fr Thomas Kiangio as new bishop of Tanga Catholic Diocese. A statement issued on June 7, 2023 by the Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Rev. Fr. Charles Kitima explains that following the appointment, TEC prays for the Bishop-elect Rev. Thomas Kiangio’s health in body and spirit in the new mission.

At the same time, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam Most Rev. Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi arrived at St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral, Tanga, and delivered the information about the appointment to the lay faithful of Tanga, an announcement which caused great joy among the faithful who gathered in the Cathedral.

“I have brought good news to you: right now, as we are gathered here, in Rome the Holy Father has appointed the new bishop of the Diocese of Tanga. Our bishop-elect is Reverend Father Thomas Kiangio. So, as you receive this information, I ask you to thank God. Undoubtedly, your eyes will now turn to preparing for the event of the consecration of the bishop-elect. I congratulate you,” said Archbishop Ruwa’ichi.

Speaking on behalf of the lay faithful of Tanga Diocese, the Chairperson of the Laity Council of in the diocese, Marry Singano, said that they thank God for answering their prayers and more so for giving them a father who hails right from there because they know him for the way he cooperated with them in serving them throughout the period he served as the Administrator of the diocese.

“We thank God for the gift of the new bishop who has carried a lot of pastoral care after he was given the responsibility of being the Administrator of Tanga Diocese. He is a father who is in harmony with all people, always cooperating with his fellow priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, and lay people; he is calm, listens to everyone and has a welcoming heart. Now that he has been assigned to be our bishop, the work continues,” said Singano.

Commenting on how they received the information about the appointment, on behalf of the priests of Tanga Diocese, the parish priest of St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral Rev. Fr. Paulo Shemng’indo said that they received the information with great joy and hope after waiting for a while, and that they are promising to cooperate with the -elect so that he may fulfill his duties.

“Since we lost the late Bishop Anton Banzi in 2020, we have persisted in praying, asking God to provide us with another pastor for our diocese. We have also prayed so that during that transition period we would live in harmony. And indeed, throughout the period, we have remained united under the guidance of Bishop-elect Kiangio as Administrator of the diocese”.

Bishop Elect Thomas John Kiangio of Tanga Catholic Diocese was born on March 17, 1965 in Mazinde Ngua, Tanga Catholic Diocese. He received his training and formation as a priest from Saint Antony’s Seminary, Ntungamo Catholic Diocese of Bukoba and Charles Lwanga, Segerea Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. He was ordained a priest on July 16, 1997.

Since then, he has been privileged to carry out his mission as assistant parish priest at Lushoto Parish between 1997-1998; later he was appointed as a formator, teacher and Assistant Rector and finally Rector of the Junior Seminary of St. Joseph Soni, Tanga, between 1998-1999 and between 2004 and 2013.

Between 1999 and 2003 he was continuing his higher studies at the Pontifical University of Urbaniana, in Rome. Later between 2013 and 2020 he was appointed Diocesan Secretary and between 2020 and his appointment he was appointed Administrator of Tanga Catholic Diocese following the death of Bishop Anthony Mathias Banzi who died on 20 December 2020.