Vision

“The Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora envisions a Holy Spirit filled people of God who are faithful stewards of God’s salvific mission.”

Mission

“The Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora is committed to proclaim the Good News in word and deeds as we render our service in solidarity with other stakeholders for the common good of humanity and to the Glory of God.”

 

Core Values

  1. Love of God
  2. Safeguard life and promote justice and peace
  3. Unity in diversity
  4. Integrity and honesty
  5. Accountability and transparency 
  6. Fraternal Love

Our History

The Archdiocese, Its Boundaries and Divisions

Originally the Mission of Tabora formed part of the Mission of Tanganyika, created in 1878 when the Missionaries of Africa first arrived in Tabora on 12th September, 1878 carrying the message of love with the mission to plant the Cross of Christ in African Soil. It was erected as Pro-Vicariate on 30th December 1886, and became the Vicariate Apostolic of Unyanyembe on 28th January, 1897. The name was changed to V.A. of Tabora in 1925.

The Missionaries, in obedience to the call of Jesus Christ of taking the Gospel to the ends of the world as witnesses in the same vein as the Apostles (Acts 1:8; Mt 28:16-20), made sure that this august task continued by training and forming men and women to work along with them and eventually shoulder it.

The Vicariate of Tabora was dedicated to Mary Immaculate. The document testifying to this was duly signed and placed in the Mother Church, Ushirombo, at the foot of the statue of Our Lady Auxiliatrix, on 8th September, 1910.

When Pope Pius XII erected the Hierarchy in East Africa on 25th March, 1953, the Vicariate of Tabora was raised to the rank of Archdiocese and became the Metropolitan See for the Ecclesiastical Province of Western Tanganyika. Its boundaries have been modified over the years. With the creation of the Dioceses of Singida on 25th March, 1972, and Kahama the boundaries were fixed as follows:

– To the North, it is bounded by the civil districts of Kahama, Biharamulo, Geita and Shinyanga.

– To the South, by the rivers of Limba-Limba and Ugalla.

– To the East, by the rivers Wembere, Mhwala, Nyahua and Njomwio

– To the West, by the rivers Malagarasi and Moyowosi.

According to Canon Law (Can. 216), dioceses must be divided into parishes. But a decree of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith of 9th December, 1920, modified this obligation, allowing some part of a mission diocese to remain undivided into parishes, provided that some parishes at least are erected.

In Tabora parishes in fact cover the whole territory of the archdiocese, so that canonically there are no unoccupied parts in it.

It should be noted that when a vicariate is changed into a diocese – as was the case with Tabora – the quasi-parishes already existing become ipso facto parishes, but with the proviso that whatever is stated in law of quasi-parishes remains applicable to these mission parishes.

It is the local Ordinary who erects parishes and fixes their boundaries and only he can suppress a parish or modify its boundaries. These boundaries should be fixed as accurately as possible and the seat of the parish, that is, the place where the parish church is built, should be determined.

Geographically, the archdiocese of Tabora is located more or less to the centre of Tanzania along central railway towards Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika. It covers an area 76,151 sq. km, equal to that of Tabora administrative region with a total population of 2,291,615 according to the Census of 2012. The Archdiocese has established twenty five parishes and numerous outstations where the faithful gather for worship and other religious activities. The Archdiocese has additionally established and administered many institutions for the promotion of vocations, formation of lay ministers, religious and the clergy for the spiritual good of its people and in order to form citizens of the region guided by Christian moral values. In all these endeavours we are duty bound in promoting and enhancing holistic development. Thus, the mission of the Archdiocese of Tabora is to provide both religious pastoral services for the welfare of the Catholic population within the Archdiocese, and to assist in promoting the common good of all people, regardless of creed, for their spiritual socio-economic welfare.

About the Synod

From 2012 through 2013 we held a synod in the Archdiocese of Tabora in response to the call given us by the Archbishop, Paul R. Ruzoka. This synod coincided well with the year of Faith promulgated by the Holy Father Benedict XVI on 11.10.2012. The synod was inevitable as we wanted faith to flourish and be lived fully by the majority of Christians and call the rest to embrace it. In fact, holding a synod is a sign of pastoral prudence. Through the synod sessions we pondered together on our faith, where we were, where we are and where we are heading to. We prayed and reflected on the values of Faith and Mission and on the things which bring us together in our spiritual voyage on the way to eternity which is the culmination of our lifetime as human beings in Christ our Lord. We begin and end with Him who shows us the way, the truth and the life. We closed the Synod on 1st November 2013 on the Solemnity of All Saints. There is now, as a result of our deliberations, a Strategic Plan (2016/2022) with Vision and Mission Statements derived from our Catholic faith that help us find a more satisfying life for ourselves and at the same time making us feel more socially responsible in “achieving maximum use of the earth’s resources” anchored on our core values as Christians let alone as clergy and religious men and women of today characterized by cut throat competitions.

The Synod Book

Tabora Synod: Lamp of the Life of Our Faith

Strategic Plan 2016 – 2022

Executive Summary

The Archdiocese of Tabora Strategic Plan 2016-2022 (ADTSP) is a participatory process that engaged the entire family of God in Tabora Archdiocese to develop her own Mission statement, Vision and Core Values, to access her strengths and resources, needs and limitations, and giving recommendations to the pastoral and development agents regarding the priorities, goals, objectives, and strategies as how to realize her Mission. This ADTST is our road map for the coming six years.

The need for the strategic planning process came out of the Archdiocesan Synodal Synopsis (2012/2013). Many cross-cutting issues were raised during the Synod proceedings called for strategies in addressing them. It was thus decided that the Archdiocese should draw up a Strategic Plan for her Pastoral Activities.

The process of preparing this Strategic Plan was preceded by a workshop, whose goal was: to create awareness among the agents of evangelization on their capacities and potentials, and empower them by providing skills of management and thus help Church Institutions in Tabora to plan and implement well their projects.

It was an arduous activity that aimed at refreshing our minds on SWOT analysis, Strategic Planning, and Problem-analysis, before we begin the actual Strategic Planning process. This was a product of a four-day workshop, from 27th to 30th April 2015, with representatives from all parishes and institutions that had gathered at the Archdiocesan Headquarters.

Pastoral planning process is a result of discernment by listening carefully to the pastoral and development realities and collecting relevant data of the life and faith among the Catholics in our Archdiocese.

In this Strategic Pastoral plan (2016- 2022), we have identified five goals to which we would like to direct our resources and energies. It is our hope and prayer that every Catholic in the Archdiocese will work hard to ensure that these goals are achieved. Indeed, this is an appropriate way of responding to the present needs of the Archdiocese. Therefore, it is our call upon every Catholic in the Archdiocese to own this document, to adopt it, and to practically implement it as part and parcel of the Pastoral life of the Archdiocese. The successful implementation of this document will require that all parishes and institutions prepare their own Strategic Plans based on the Archdiocesan one, which clearly states the Archdiocesan priorities and submit them to the Archbishop for approval of their implementation.

We are sincerely grateful to all those who have contributed to the successful completion of this document. PORTICUS has played a vital role in the development of this Pastoral Plan by providing financial resource. We thank all participants in the process of preparing this document: the steering committee, the facilitators, and the entire family of God in Tabora. Let our earnest prayer be that every Catholic faithful in Tabora becomes part of the successful implementation of this Pastoral Plan. Let all leaders translate the identified Pastoral and Development Strategies into action by involving everyone in the Parishes and Institutions.

The logical framework analysis of the Archdiocese of Tabora

A logical framework was developed for the strategic plan as a way of presenting substance of the plan in a comprehensive and logically understandable form. The underlying objectives were placed against their respective strategies. Indicators were then developed against the objectives and their respective Means of Verification. Assumptions to indicate the factors in the environment that will allow for successful implementation of the plan were also shown against every objective.

Parishes in the Archdiocese of Tabora

St. Therese of the Child Jesus Cathedral Parish – Tabora [1900]

P.O. Box 516,
TABORA
 
Mary Mother of God Parish – Cheyo [2006]
P.O. Box 67, 
TABORA
 
St. Anthony of Padua Parish – Itaga [1913]
P.O. Box 1907,
TABORA
 
St. Francis de Sales Parish – Kashishi [2017]
P.O. Box 1907,
TABORA
  
Holy Family Parish – Ipuli [1975]
P.O. Box 926,
TABORA
 
St. Joseph Parish – Kipalapala [1945]
P.O. Box 7002, 
TABORA
 
The Immaculate Conception of Mary Parish – Makokola [1973]
P.O. Box 33,
TABORA
 
Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Magiri [2017]
Private Bag, 
TABORA
 
St. Peter Parish – Sikonge [1939/1972]
P.O. Box 92, 
SIKONGE
 
St. Bernadette Parish – Nzega [1958]
P. O. Box,
NZEGA
 
Christ the King Parish – Kitangili []
P.O. Box 12,
NZEGA
 
Our Lady of Grace Parish – Lububu [1925]
P.O. Box 9,
NZEGA
 
St. Joseph Parish – Ndala [1896]
P.O. Box 60,
Ndala via TABORA
 
Uganda Martyrs Parish – Tongi []
P.O, Box 60, 
Ndala via TABORA
 
The Nativity of Our Lady Blessed Mary Parish – Ussongo [1930],
P.O. Box 184,
IGUNGA
 
St. Charles Lwanga and His Companion Parish – Bukene [2002], 
P. O. Box 150,
BUKENE
 
Mary Queen of Apostles Parish – Chomachankola [1999]
P.O. Box, 
IGUNGA
 
St. Margarita Maria Alakok Parish – Igunga [1975], 
P.O. Box 184, 
IGUNGA
 
St. John Paul II Parish – Mwanzugi [1952]
P.O. Box 17, 
IGUNGA
 
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish – Bongomela [2012]
P.O. Box
IGUNGA
 
Our Lady of Fatima Parish – Urambo [1952]
P.O. Box 9,
URAMBO
 
St. Anthony of Padua Parish – Kaliua [1973]
P.O. Box 33,
KALIUA
 
St. Therese Parish – Ndono [1927/1999]
P.O. Box 373,
TABORA
 
St. Ludovick Parish – Ulyankulu [1975]
P.O. Box 91,
ULYANKULU
 
St. Andrew the Apostle Parish – Bussondo [2017]
P.O. Box 373,
TABORA
 

There are three deaneries in the Archdiocese of Tabora. These are: Tabora DeaneryNzega Deanery and Urambo Deanery whose deans are Rev. Fr. Callyopes BigonaRev. Fr. Francis Chuwa ALCP/OSS, and Rev. Fr. Patrick Lembeli respectively.

Diocesan Departments

Below is a list of departments in the Archdiocese of Tabora, persons in charge and addresses

ARCHBISHOP’S OFFICE/HOUSE
Rev. Fr. Novatus Safari – Chancellor
Sr. Frediana Kabafunzaki OLGC – Secretary
Sr. Martha Mathai – DMT
Address: Private Bag, TABORA
 
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Rev. Fr. Nicholaus Bulabuza
Rev. Fr. Desiderius Katabaro
Sr. Rose Kyomugisha OLGC
Sr. M. Catharina, DMT
Address: Archbishop’s House
Private Bag, TABORA
 
CARITAS
Rev. Fr. Alex Nduwayo – Director
Mr. Timothy Chombo – Coordinator
Address: P. O. Box 669,
TABORA
 
HEALTH
Rev. Fr. Alex Nduwayo – Health Secretary
Archdiocese of Tabora
Private Bag,
TABORA
 
PASTORAL
Rev. Fr. Faustine Rwechungura – V.G
Archbishop’s House,
Private Bag,
TABORA
 
VOCATIONS
Rev. Fr. Pontiano Kibobera
Rev. Fr. Andrea Luziga
Private Bag,
TABORA
 
SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS
Rev. Fr. Thomas Mambo
Kipalapala Parish
P. O. Box 926, 
TABORA.
 
EDUCATION
Rev. Fr. Salvatory Maganga
St. Mary’s Secondary School,
P.O. Box ,
TABORA
 
LAY APOSTOLATE
Rev. Fr. William Monella
Mr. Fredrick Itogoza
P. O. Box 13,
TABORA
 
CATECHETICS
Rev. Fr. Arnold Malambwa
CTC Ndala,
P. O. Box 60,
Ndala via Tabora
 
LITURGY
Rev. Fr. Callyopes Bigona
Cheyo Parish
P.0. BOX 67, 
Tabora
 
ECUMENISIM
Rev. Fr. Arbogast Kagyabukama
Ulyankulu Parish,
P.O. Box 91
ULYANKULU
 
JUSTICE AND PEACE
Rev. Fr. Peter Bugumba
Urambo Parish,
P.O. Box 
URAMBO
 
CSSC (Christian Social Services Commission)
Ms Elizabeth Lubike
Western Zone Office
P.O. Box 669,
TABORA

Priests and Deacons of the Archdiocese of Tabora

Priests

1. His Grace Archbishop Paul R. Ruzoka [Birth – 1948 // Ordination – 1975]
2. Fr. Charles Nyamiti [Birth – 1931 // Ordination – 1962]
3. Fr. Athanas Kiyenze [Birth – 1944 // Ordination – 1971]
4. Fr. Winfried Dinho [Birth – 1944 // Ordination – 1972]
5. Fr. Patrick Lembeli [Birth – 1953 // Ordination – 1978]
6. Fr. Anthony Katoba [Birth – 1954 // Ordination – 1980]
7. Fr. John Mungoni [Birth – 1954 // Ordination – 1980]
8. Fr. Deogratius Shiwala [Birth – 1960 // Ordination – 1988]
9. Fr. Daniel Malingumu [Birth – 1961 // Ordination – 1989]
10. Fr. Julius Tengi [Birth – 1961 // Ordination – 1990]
11. Fr Arbogast Kagyabukama [Birth – 1957 // Ordination – 1992]
12. Fr. Cleophas Mabula [Birth – 1962 // Ordination – 1992]
13. Fr. Leons Maziku [Birth – 1961 // Ordination – 1992]
14. Fr. Sebastian Kasheshi [Birth – 1963 // Ordination – 1994]
15. Fr. Edward Ntunde [Birth – 1959 // Ordination – 1995]
16. Fr. John Kulwa [Birth – 1959 // Ordination – 1995]
17. Fr. Christopher Dinho [Birth – 1959 // Ordination – 1996]
18. Fr. Pontiano K. Makona [Birth – 1963 // Ordination – 1997]
19. Fr. Joseph Kitebi Maziku [Birth – 1965 // Ordination – 1997]
20. Fr. David Kaswiza [Birth – 1965 // Ordination – 1998]
21. Fr. Paschal Kitambi [Birth – 1967 // Ordination – 1998]
22. Fr. Callyopes Bigona [Birth – 1965 // Ordination – 1999]
23. Fr. Honest Kerego [Birth – 1967 // Ordination – 2000]
24. Fr. Arnold Malambwa [Birth – 1968 // Ordination – 2000]
25. Fr. Felix Mbuya [Birth – 1965 // Ordination – 2001]
26. Fr. Paul S. Chobo [Birth – 1967 // Ordination – 2001]
27. Fr. Thomas Mambo [Birth – 1968 // Ordination – 2002]
28. Fr. William Monella [Birth – 1967 // Ordination – 2002]
29. Fr. Faustin Rwechungura [Birth – 1967 // Ordination – 2003]
30. Fr. Patrick Msekwa [Birth – 1970 // Ordination – 2004]
31. Fr. Isdory Tabanya [Birth – 1971 // Ordination – 2004]
32. Fr. Salvatory Maganga [Birth – 1971 // Ordination – 2004]
33. Fr. Domisio Kabura [Birth – 1969 // Ordination – 2005]
34. Fr. Alex F. Nduwayo [Birth – 1976 // Ordination – 2006]
35. Fr. Nicholaus Bulabuza [Birth – 1975 // Ordination – 2007]
36. Fr. Edwin Makusanya [Birth – 1976 // Ordination – 2007]
37. Fr. Joseph Buhili [Birth – 1978 // Ordination – 2008]
38. Fr. Gervas Weston [Birth – 1973 // Ordination – 2008]
39. Fr. Deogratius Mwageni [Birth – 1974 // Ordination – 2008]
40. Fr. Josephat Bududu [Birth – 1977 // Ordination – 2009]
41. Fr. Peter Bugumba [Birth – 1977 // Ordination – 2009]
42. Fr. Novatus Safari [Birth – 1976 // Ordination – 2009]
43. Fr. Anthony Bujiku [Birth – 1966 // Ordination – 2011]
44. Fr. Lameck [Birth – 1978 // Ordination – 2011]
45. Fr. Charles Sinkala [Birth – 1979 // Ordination – 2011]
46. Fr. Edward Mayunga [Birth – 1981 // Ordination – 2011]
47. Fr. Desiderius Katabaro [Birth – 1981 // Ordination – 2012]
48. Fr. Isdory Mhagallah [Birth – 1986 // Ordination – 2014]
49. Fr. Renatus Mashishanga [Birth – 1985 // Ordination – 2014]
50. Fr. Andrew Mlele Mtaki [Birth – 1988 // Ordination – 2015]
51. Fr. Focus Shukuru [Birth – 1982 // Ordination – 2015]
52. Fr. Isaac Goza [Birth – 1977 // Ordination – 2015]
53. Fr. Andrew Luziga [Birth – 1985 // Ordination – 2015]
54. Fr. Paschal Kidando [Birth – 1983 // Ordination – 2015]
55. Fr. Fabian Mkama [Birth – 1985// Ordination – 2017]
56. Fr. Francis Kiguli [Birth – 1987// Ordination – 2017]
57. Fr. Ignas Akilimali [Birth – 1988// Ordination – 2017]
58. Fr. Barnabas Kalaye [Birth – 1984// Ordination – 2017]
59. Fr. Peter Kulwa [Birth – 1987// Ordination – 2017]
60. Fr. Gabriel Manyika [Birth – 1987// Ordination – 2017]
 

Deacons

1. Deacon Benedict Mambo
2. Deacon Andrea Bussongo
3. Deacon Paschal Kadege

Missionary Priests Working in the Archdiocese of Tabora

Below is a list of Missionary Priests working in the Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora.

Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS)
1. Fr. Jommon Joseph
2. Fr. Antonysamy Muthusamy
3. Fr. Reji Joseph
4. Fr. Clement Sudhakab
5. Fr. Tony Kattikananayil
6. Fr. Innocent Ngoi
7. Fr. Joseph Kayanja
8. Fr. Sebastian Nirappel
9. Fr. Jomet Mathew
 
MIssionaries of Africa/White Fathers (M.Afr)
1. Fr. Piet Bergman
 
Missionary Congreagation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS)
1. Fr. Sebi Kachappilly
2. Fr. Thomas Maprakkarott
3. Fr. Deepu Pottamplackal
4. Fr. Titus Palathinka
5. Fr. Mathew Vadakeputhenpura
6. Fr. Thomas Baiju
 
ALCP/OSS
1. Fr. Francis Chuwa
2. Fr. Valerian Kileo
3. Fr. Felix Kiko
4. Fr. Francis Lelo

Religious Congregations in the Archdiocese of Tabora

1. Daughters of Mary

2. Missionaries of St. Joseph of Cluny
3. Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo
4. Missionaries Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary
5. Providence Sisters for Abandoned Children
6. Daughters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Iringa)
7. Pallotine Sisters
8. Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel
9. Missionaries of Charity
10. Missionary Sisters of St. Ann
11. Sisters of St. Joseph of Anecy
12. Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus (Bukoba)
13. Missionary Sisters of Our Lady Queen of Africa
14. Sisters of Our Lady of Kilimanjaro
15. Brothers of Charity
16. Brothers of the Congregation of Mary of Mercy
17. Brothers of Christian Instruction
18. The Order of St. Benedict
19. The Little Missionary Sisters of Charity
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