AMECEA: AMECEA Mourns Cardinal Pengo as Defender of African Cultural Values
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has expressed deep sorrow following the death of His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, Archbishop Emeritus of Dar es Salaam, who passed away on Friday, February 19, at the age of 81.
In a condolence letter addressed to Bishop Wolfgang Pisa, President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, AMECEA Chairman Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde described Cardinal Pengo as one of the most prominent Catholic leaders in Africa, a man whose legacy of courage, wisdom, and pastoral zeal will endure long after his passing.
“I am saddened to hear of the death of Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop Emeritus of Dar es Salaam. On behalf of the Bishops in the AMECEA region, I extend our deepest sympathy to the Episcopal Conference of Catholic Bishops in Tanzania as we join you in mourning the loss of one of our most prominent Catholic leaders in Africa,” Bishop Kasonde of Solwezi, Zambia, wrote.
Cardinal Pengo served as Patron of AMECEA and was highly regarded across the region for his dual commitment to the Church’s financial self-reliance and to the defence of African cultural values, a combination that earned him respect not only in Tanzania but across the entire African continent.
“The Church in the AMECEA region and SECAM will live to remember Cardinal Pengo for the role he played in the history of the Church at national, regional, and continental levels,” Bishop Kasonde noted, adding that “The Bishops in Africa shall remember him for promoting the Church’s financial self-reliance and for defending African cultural values.”
Beyond his advocacy, Cardinal Pengo has been described as a moral and spiritual leader whose character sets him apart.
“Among us, he was a towering presence of Christian integrity and courage, making him the prophetic voice of the Church,” the AMECEA Chairman described the late Cardinal, disclosing that “His pastoral zeal and leadership style were so admired that he was highly regarded among fellow bishops across the Tanzania Episcopal Conference.”
The Cardinal’s influence extended well beyond formal structures. According to the AMECEA Chairman, Bishops across the region frequently sought his counsel, and his wisdom left a lasting impression on those he guided.
“We shall truly miss his presence in the region, especially the wisdom he shared with us whenever we sought his counsel,” Bishop Kasonde said.
The AMECEA Chairman commended the late Cardinal to the mercy of God and reaffirmed the regional body’s solidarity with the faithful of Tanzania, the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, and the Cardinal’s family.
“AMECEA stands in solidarity with the people of God in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, with all the faithful of Tanzania, and with his family, in this moment of grief and gratitude to God,” The Chairman expressed.
Funeral Arrangements
Hours after his death, the official funeral arrangements for the late Cardinal, signed by Archbishop Thaddaeus S. Ruwa’ichi OFMCap of Dar es Salaam has been released. According to the statement, Cardinal Pengo passed away at the Jakaya Kikwete Heart Institute (JKCI) in Dar es Salaam at 2200 hours on February 19, 2026.
The funeral programme is scheduled over two days. On Friday, February 27, the body of the late Cardinal will arrive at St. Joseph’s Cathedral at 9:00 hours for last respects, followed by a Requiem Mass at 16:00 hours, and moments of reflection and prayer.
On Saturday, February 28, last respects will be received from 07:00 to 09:45 hours, with the Funeral Mass set for 10:00hours at Pugu Pilgrimage Centre, where the Cardinal will be laid to rest.
May the soul of Cardinal Pengo rest in eternal peace.
