TANZANIA: A New Catholic Diocese of Mafinga is Inaugurated, a New Bishop Installed in Tanzania
Sarah Pelaji
A new Catholic diocese, Mafinga, has been officially launched with its first Bishop Vincent Mwagala installed on March 19 this year.
The inauguration took place on March 18, 2024 starting with Evening Prayer 1 of the Solemnity of Saint Joseph Husband of the Virgin Mary.
During launch, the Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania Most Rev. Angelo Accattino read the document of the Holy Father Pope Francis that authorizes and approves the establishment of the new Diocese of Mafinga.
Also, Archbishop Angelo Accattino read the document of the Holy Father Francis disclosing the Bishop-elect Vincent Mwagala as the pioneer Bishop to the new episcopal See.
Mafinga Catholic Diocese has been created out of the Diocese of Iringa, becoming the fourth suffragan diocese in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Mbeya.
On March 19th, 2023, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph Husband of Virgin Mary, the Bishop-elect Vincent Mwagala was consecrated and installed as the Ordinary of Mafinga Diocese.
The Archbishop of Tabora Archdiocese Cardinal Protase Rugambwa presided over the consecration and installation of the first Bishop of Mafinga, in a ceremony concelebrated by the Bishop of Iringa Catholic bishop Rt. Rev Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa and the Archbishop of Mbeya Archdiocese Most Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga.
The celebration was attended by thousands of believers, while various government leaders participated, led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of the United Republic of Tanzania Ho. Dr. Doto Biteko.
In his sermon, Cardinal Rugambwa congratulated Bishop Mwagala for his appointment as first bishop of the new diocese.
“I would like to thank all those who contributed in one way or another to spread faith and grow it within Iringa Catholic Diocese. We thank all the missionaries who lay the foundation of Catholic faith till 2023, when we celebrated the Jubilee of 125 years of evangelization in Iringa Diocese, which brought us together,” he said.
“The establishment of the new Diocese of Mafinga is definitely the result of the work of evangelization in Iringa. That is the reason this new diocese of Mafinga has been dismembered from the Catholic Diocese of Iringa,” he continued and added, “Thank you very much Bishop Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa who represents your predecessor bishops for the work you did with the help of priests, Religious and Lay who cooperated with you.”
On his part, the President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Most Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga, also congratulated Bishop Mwagala .
“We congratulate you for the honor given to you by the Holy Father Francis, we pray for you and we wish you the best and we promise you our cooperation as Tanzania Episcopal Conference,” he said adding, “Bishop Mwagala, Let’s journey together as a Synod Church.”
Bishop Mwagala thanks God for the gift of his vocation. He thanks Bishop Ngalalekumtwa for being his Spiritual Father who recognized and confirmed his vocation.
“I thank you Bishop Ngalalekumtwa for giving me the Holy Order of Deacon, Priest and now, participating in making me a bishop. I thank you for recognizing my gifts to make me your assistant in Iringa Catholic Diocese for about 6 years.
The office has given me experience that I will use to start carrying out my duties and mission in Mafinga Diocese,” he said.
He has further thanked the faithful of Iringa Catholic Diocese for raising him and supporting him until now as becomes bishop.
He has requested for cooperation among the priests, nuns and laity so that they may walk together as a synodal Church of Mafinga Diocese.
He has promised to be a father to all and to cooperate with Government and leaders of various religions in maintaining dignity, justice and peace in Mafinga.
In the celebration, the Deputy Minister of Transport who is also the Member of Parliament for Mufindi South Hon. David Kihenzile bought all the Bishops the Holy Mass vestments they were wearing that day.
In addition, he also bought all the Catechists of the Catholic Diocese of Iringa and Mafinga liturgical books that to guide them during the liturgical celebrations of the Holy Week where there is no priest.
The Catholic Diocese of Mafinga has a total of 17 parishes, 30 priests and 152 Religious men and women, 52 seminarians in major Seminaries and 350 catechists.
