Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tabora, Tanzania 🇹🇿

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Metropolitan Archdiocese Metr. Archdiocese

Name: Tabora / Taboraën(sis) (Latin)

Suffragan Sees: Kahama, Kigoma, Mpanda

Neighbouring Dioceses: Mpanda (↙), Kigoma (←), Kahama (↑), Shinyanga (↗), Singida (→)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Websites:

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1887.01.11: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Unianyembé / Unyanyembe / Unianyemben(sis) (Latin) (from Apostolic Vicariate of Tanganyika)
1912.12.12: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Kivu
1925.05.31: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Tabora / Taboraën(sis) (Latin)
1929.04.08: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Vicariate of Bubuka
1943.04.14: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Mbulu
1953.03.25: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Tabora / Taboraën(sis) (Latin) (with suffragan sees Bukoba, Karema, Kigoma, Maswa, Mbeya, Mwanza and Rutabo)
1957.07.05: Gained suffragan see Musoma
1960.06.21: Lost suffragan see Rutabo and gained suffragan see Bukoba
1972.03.25: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Singida and gained suffragan see Singida
1983.11.11: Lost territory to establish Diocese of Kahama and gained suffragan see Kahama
1984.11.08: Gained suffragan see Geita
1987.11.18: Lost suffragan sees Bukoba, Geita, Mbeya, Musoma, Mwanza, Rulenge and Shinyanga
2000.10.23: Gained suffragan see Mpanda
2014.11.06: Lost suffragan see Singida
2018.12.21: Lost suffragan see Sumbawanga

Papal Visits

Pope John Paul II (1990.09)

Present Prelates

Metropolitan Archbishop (2023.11.10 – ...):	Cardinal Protase Rugambwa (65) Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Montesanto
Auxiliary Bishop (2025.02.26 – ...):	Bishop Josaphat Jackson Bududu (49) Titular Bishop of Vegesela in Numidia

Ordinaries

Metropolitan Archbishops of Tabora (Roman Rite)

Cardinal Protase Rugambwa (65)
(2023.11.10 – ...)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Montesanto
Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania)

Euntes in mundum universum / Mwanzo na nwisho

Born:	1960.05.31 (Bunena, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	1990.09.02
Consecrated Bishop:	2008.04.13
Created Cardinal:	2023.09.30

Priest of Rulenge (Tanzania) (1990.09.02 – 2008.01.18)

Bishop of Kigoma (Tanzania) (2008.01.18 – 2012.06.26)

Adjunct Secretary of Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (2012.06.26 – 2017.11.09)

Archbishop ad personam (2012.06.26 – 2023.04.13)

Secretary of Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples (2017.11.09 – 2022.06.05)

Vice-Grand Chancellor of Pontifical Urbaniana University (2017.11.09 – 2023.03.15)

Secretary for the Section of Evangelisation of Dicastery for Evangelisation (2022.06.05 – 2023.03.15)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania) (2023.04.13 – 2023.11.10)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Maria in Montesanto (2023.09.30 [2024.02.18] – ...)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania) (2023.11.10 – ...)

Archbishop Paul Runangaza Ruzoka (77)
(2006.11.25 – 2023.11.10)

Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Tabora (Tanzania)

Nitalitii neno lako

Born:	1948 (Nyakayenzi, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	1975.07.20
Consecrated Bishop:	1990.01.06

Priest of Kigoma (Tanzania) (1975.07.20 – 1989.11.10)

Bishop of Kigoma (Tanzania) (1989.11.10 – 2006.11.25)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania) (2006.11.25 – 2023.11.10)

Apostolic Administrator of Kigoma (Tanzania) (2012 – 2014.07.10)

Archbishop Mario Epifanio Abdallah Mgulunde
(1985.03.09 – 2006.03.14)

Born:	1931 (Kalenga, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	1962.04.08
Consecrated Bishop:	1970.02.15
Died:	2006.03.14 († 74)

Bishop of Iringa (Tanzania) (1969.10.23 – 1985.03.09)

President of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (1976 – 1982)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania) (1985.03.09 – 2006.03.14)

Archbishop Marko Mihayo
(1960.06.21 – 1985.03.09)

Born:	1907 (Ushetu, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	1940.08.18
Consecrated Bishop:	1960.09.18
Died:	1995.03.13 († 87)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania) (1960.06.21 – 1985.03.09)

Archbishop Cornelius Bronsveld, M. Afr.
(1953.03.25 – 1959.12.21)

Christus spes mea

Born:	1905.02.17 (Bussum, Netherlands)
Ordained Priest:	1930.06.29
Consecrated Bishop:	1950.08.22
Died:	1980.01.14 († 74)

Titular Bishop of Carallia (1950.05.31 – 1953.03.25)

Vicar Apostolic of Tabora (Tanzania) (1950.05.31 – 1953.03.25)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania) (1953.03.25 – 1959.12.21)

Titular Archbishop of Leontopolis in Augustamnica (1959.12.21 – 1970.11.30)

Vicars Apostolic of Tabora (Roman Rite)

Bishop Cornelius Bronsveld, M. Afr. (later Archbishop)
(1950.05.31 – 1953.03.25)

(see above)

Bishop Guillaume-Joseph Trudel, M. Afr.
(1933.04.25 – 1949.02.04)

In caritate servire

Born:	1890.04.21 (Hedgewick Station, IL, USA)
Ordained Priest:	1920.06.29
Consecrated Bishop:	1933.07.16
Died:	1968.10.06 (Montréal, QC, Canada † 78)

Vicar Apostolic of Tabora (Tanzania) (1933.04.25 – 1949.02.04)

Titular Bishop of Noba (1933.04.25 – 1968.10.06)

Bishop Joseph-Georges-Édouard Michaud, M. Afr.
(1928.11.29 – 1932.03.24)

Oportet illum regnare

Born:	1884.09.14 (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada)
Ordained Priest:	1911.06.29
Consecrated Bishop:	1929.03.03
Died:	1945.06.18 († 60)

Titular Bishop of Zabi (1928.11.17 – 1945.06.18)

Vicar Apostolic of Tabora (Tanzania) (1928.11.29 – 1932.03.24)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Uganda (Uganda) (1932.03.24 – 1933.06.02)

Vicar Apostolic of Uganda (Uganda) (1933.06.02 – 1945.06.18)

Bishop Henri Léonard, M. Afr.
(1925.05.31 – 1928.07.23)

Born:	1869.12.05 (Oeutrange, France)
Ordained Priest:	1895.07.02
Consecrated Bishop:	1912.08.10
Died:	1953.05.15 († 83)

Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Unianyembé (Tanzania) (1912.06.26 – 1912.06.27)

Titular Bishop of Tipasa in Mauretania (1912.06.26 – 1953.05.15)

Vicar Apostolic of Unianyembé (Tanzania) (1912.06.27 – 1925.05.31)

Vicar Apostolic of Tabora (Tanzania) (1925.05.31 – 1928.07.23)

Vicars Apostolic of Unianyembé (Roman Rite)

Bishop Henri Léonard, M. Afr.
(1912.06.27 – 1925.05.31)

(see above)

Bishop François Gerboin, M. Afr.
(1897.01.28 – 1912.06.27)

Born:	1847.02.22 (Laval, France)
Ordained Priest:	1872.10.10
Consecrated Bishop:	1897.11.21
Died:	1912.06.27 (Ushirombo, Tanzania † 65)

Titular Bishop of Thuburbo minus (1897.01.28 – 1912.06.27)

Vicar Apostolic of Unianyembé (Tanzania) (1897.01.28 – 1912.06.27)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Archbishop: Cardinal Protase Rugambwa (65) (2023.04.13 – 2023.11.10)
Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic: Bishop-elect Henri Léonard, M. Afr. (1912.06.26 – 1912.06.27)
Auxiliary Bishop: Bishop Bernard Mabula (1969.01.09 – 1972.03.25)