VATICAN: Vatican Eulogizes Bishop Mfumbusa, Appreciates His Services on Interfaith Dialogue
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Holy See has joined the Catholic Church in Tanzania in mourning the death of Bishop Bernardin Francis Mfumbusa, the founding Bishop of the Diocese of Kondoa, who was to rest on Wednesday, April 22.
In a message read by the Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania, His Excellency Archbishop Angelo Accattino, Pope Leo XIV has extended heartfelt condolences, celebrating Bishop Mfumbusa’s “years of dedicated episcopal ministry” and made particular note of his “commitment to interreligious dialogue in the field of communications.”
In a message signed by the Secretary of State Pietro Cardinal Parolin, the Holy Father expressed his personal sorrow at the news of Bishop Mfumbusa’s death, directing his message of consolation to the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Kondoa, and commending the late bishop’s soul to the merciful love of Jesus the Good Shepherd.
Just five days before his death, the Holy Father had appointed Bishop Mfumbusa as a delegate to the Dicastery for Communications, a recognition that the Holy See regarded his expertise in media and interreligious engagement as a gift not just to Tanzania, but to the universal Church.
Bishop Mfumbusa was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Kondoa, where he served with deep pastoral commitment.
Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, also conveyed the dicastery’s profound sorrow at the sudden passing of Bishop Mfumbusa, expressing unwavering dedication to the proclamation of the Gospel, and specifically highlighting Bishop Mfumbusa’s attentiveness to the world of communications as a sacred instrument of evangelization.
“We recall with gratitude his dedication to the proclamation of the Gospel and special attention to the world of communication,” Archbishop Nwachukwu said, describing these as “tools used to sow the seed of truth in the hearts of the faithful.”
Assuring the Diocese of Kondoa of the Dicastery’s spiritual closeness in this moment of trial, Archbishop Nwachukwu conveyed a prayer full of missionary hope, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelization, saying, “may Bishop Mfumbusa receive the eternal reward promised to the good and faithful servants.”
On his part, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Accattino, described the Bishop’s death as a shock that left both the local Church and the Vatican’s mission in Tanzania deeply saddened. “The death of our beloved bishop came as a surprise to us,” he said.
The Pope’s representative paid tribute to Bishop Mfumbusa’s academic stature, noting that God had endowed him with exceptional talents, particularly as an educator whose students have become experts and leaders in their own fields.
He recalled how Pope Benedict XVI had distinguished these gifts and entrusted him with the founding of the Diocese of Kondoa, a role the late Bishop embraced with enthusiasm and commitment.
The Nuncio also drew special attention to Bishop Mfumbusa’s contribution to the broader Tanzanian Church through his promotion of modern media as a tool for evangelization a vision he said would outlast his earthly ministry.
Extending the condolences of both the Church leadership and the Apostolic Nunciature to the bishop’s family and the community of Kondoa, Archbishop Accattino prayed that the late bishop, saying, “having been purified from all human weaknesses, may be welcomed into the joy of eternal life.”
