Cardinal Rugambwa speaks of his stewardship

The newly created and proclaimed Cardinal Protase Rugambwa said yesterday that he has received with humility the appointment to the new role, as he has been doing in the past.
Cardinal Rugambwa pledged cooperation with the Catholic faithful, citizens and the government.

The Cardinal, who doubles as the Coadjutor Archbishop of Tabora, called on people to consider themselves at home and shun discrimination.

The 63-year-old, who has served at the Holy See for 10 years, arrived in Dar es Salaam on October 6, 2023, from Rome, where he was proclaimed by Pope Francis to join the College of Cardinals.

After receiving the cardinal’s purple, Cardinal Rugambwa became Tanzania’s third cardinal in the country’s history, after the late Laurean Rugambwa and Polycarp Pengo.

Speaking on Saturday, after arriving in Tabora, Cardinal Rugambwa said he has humbly accepted the new responsibility like all other past roles.

“My promise is to cooperate with the faithful, citizens and the government during the implementation of my duties,” he said.
He thanked Tanzanians for prayers since the announcement made by the Pope on July 9, 2023.

He said a total of 21 cardinals were created last week, saying they were accompanied by different bishops during an event attended by Tabora Diocese Archbishop Paul Ruzoka.

According to him, he has been excited by the Tanzanians' welcome in the Dar es Salaam and Tabora regions.

“After landing in Tabora, leaders had to ask for passengers' favour to let us off the aircraft first, and an outstanding love was extended to us. The same has to be extended to God,” he said.
During the event, Archbishop Ruzoka asked residents of Tabora to thank God for the appointment and proclamation of Cardinal Rugambwa.

He allayed the faithful fear that Cardinal Rugambwa will continue serving the church in the region: “Some believers have been asking about the cardinal’s new workstation.”

“However, today I would like to assure you that Cardinal Rugambwa has nowhere to go; he’s here to stay,” he said.
Furthermore, he said the pope saw the importance of providing Tanzania with another cardinal, but this time from the Tabora Archdiocese.

According to him, on their way back, they met Cardinal Polycarp Pengo in Dar es Salaam, who presided over Cardinal Rugambwa’s ordination, but the duo are now all cardinals.

Tabora Regional Commissioner Barilda Buriani assured Cardinal Rugambwa of the government’s cooperation in the execution of his duties.

She challenged the cardinal to strengthen the present relationship between the two sides, commending the church for complementing the government in the provision of social services in the country.

Cardinal Rugambwa was born into the Kishumba family in Bunena, Tanzania, on May 31, 1960.

Some sources explain that, like many children that year, his parents named him Rugambwa in honour of Tanzania’s first cardinal, Laurean Rugambwa (1912–1997), created on March 28, 1960.
Pope John Paul II himself, during his visit to Tanzania, ordained him to the priesthood on September 2, 1990, for the Diocese of Rulenge.
After four years of pastoral work in the diocese as a parochial vicar and hospital chaplain, he was sent to Rome.