{{short description|Tanzanian prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1960)}} {{Infobox Christian leader |type = Cardinal |honorific_prefix = [[His Eminence]] |name = Protase Rugambwa |title = [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]], [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora|Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora]] |image = Rugambwa Protase.jpg |caption = Rugambwa in 2023. |church = [[Catholic Church]] |archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora|Tabora]] |see = Tabora |appointed = 13 April 2023 (coadjutor) |term_start = 10 November 2023 |predecessor = [[Paul R. Ruzoka]] |successor = |other_post = Cardinal Priest of [[Santa Maria in Montesanto]] (2023–) |ordination = 2 September 1990 |ordained_by = [[Pope John Paul II]] |consecration = 13 April 2008 |consecrated_by = [[Polycarp Pengo]] |cardinal = 30 September 2023 |created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Francis]] |rank = [[Cardinal-Priest]] |birth_name = |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1960|05|31}} |birth_place = Bunena, [[Tanzania]] |previous_post = {{unbulleted list|[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rulenge–Ngara|Vicar General of Rulenge]] (2002-04)|[[Bishop of Kigoma]] (2008-12)|Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (2012-17)|[[Pontifical Mission Societies|President of the Pontifical Mission Societies]] (2012-17)|[[Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples|Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples]] (2017–23)|[[Pontifical Urban University|Vice-Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbaniana University]] (2017–23)}} |alma_mater = [[Pontifical Lateran University]] |coat_of_arms = Coat of arms of Protase Rugambwa.svg |motto = {{lang|la|Euntes in Mundum Universum}}<br>("Go into the whole world") }} {{infobox cardinalstyles |name=Protase Rugambwa |dipstyle=[[His Eminence]] |offstyle=[[Your Eminence]] |relstyle=[[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] |deathstyle= |image = Coat of arms of Protase Rugambwa.svg |image_size = 150px }} '''Protase Rugambwa''' (born 31 May 1960) is a Tanzanian [[prelate]] of the [[Catholic Church]] who has been metropolitan archbishop of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora|Archdiocese of Tabora]] since November 2023, after serving as coadjutor there for seven months. He was a secretary of the [[Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples]] from November 2017 to April 2023. He previously served as that congregation's adjunct secretary and president of the [[Pontifical Mission Societies]] from 2012 to 2017. [[Pope Francis]] made him a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] on 30 September 2023.

==Biography== Protase Rugambwa was born on 31 May 1960 at Bunena, in the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Rulenge|diocese of Bukoba]]. He had an elder brother, Paulo Kishumba (1957-2021).<ref>{{ cite news | first =Richard A. | last =Mjigwa | accessdate=20 October 2022 | url =http://vaticannews.va/sw/vatican-city/news/2021-10/dr-paulo-kishumba-kaka-askofu-mkuu-protase-rugambwa-amefariki.html | newspaper= [[Vatican News]]| date = 29 October 2021 | language=sw | title= Dr. Paulo Kishumba, Kaka yake Askofu Mkuu Protase Rugambwa Amefariki Dunia }}</ref> He was given the name "Rugambwa" after [[Laurean Rugambwa]], who had become Tanzania's first cardinal a few weeks earlier.<ref name=chanzo>{{cite news | access-date = 12 July 2023 | website = The Chanzo Initiative| url = https://thechanzo.com/2023/07/10/getting-to-know-archbishop-protase-rugambwa/ | title = Getting to Know Archbishop Protase Rugambwa | date = 10 July 2023 | author = Mzee wa Atikali }}</ref> After attending primary and secondary schools and Minor Seminary Katoke Itaga, Rugambwa studied philosophy at Kibosho Senior Seminary and theology at St. Charles Lwanga Segerea Senior Seminary.<ref name=vatbio/>

He was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] a priest for the [[Diocese of Rulenge]] on 2 September 1990 in [[Dar-es-Salaam]] by [[Pope John Paul II]] during his pastoral visit to [[Tanzania]].<ref name=crux>{{cite news | access-date = 12 July 2023 | url = https://cruxnow.com/church-in-africa/2023/07/meet-pope-franciss-new-african-cardinals | work = Crux | date = 20 July 2023 | title=Meet Pope Francis's new African cardinals | first = Ngala Killian | last = Chimtom }}</ref>

He was parish vicar of Mabira for 1990-91. He taught at the Minor Seminary of Katoke from 1991 to 1994, with responsibility for the liturgy and serving also as chaplain of Biharamulo hospital. From 1994 to 1998 he pursued a doctorate in pastoral theology at the [[Pontifical Lateran University]]. Returning to Tanzania, he was spiritual director of seminarians and director of vocations for the Diocese of Rulenge and executive director of the pastoral care department for 1998-99. From 2000 to 2002 he was [[Vicar General]] of the diocese of Rulenge and moderator of personnel. He worked in Rome on the staff of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2002 to 2008.<ref name=vatbio/>

On 18 January 2008, [[Pope Benedict XVI]] appointed Rugambwa bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Kigoma|Diocese of Kigoma]], [[Tanzania]].<ref name=vatbio>{{cite press release | accessdate=13 November 2017 | url = http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2008/01/18/0033/00076.html | date = 18 January 2008 | language=it | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 18.01.2008 }}</ref> He received his episcopal consecration on 13 April<ref name=chanzo/> from Cardinal [[Polycarp Pengo]], Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam.

On 26 June 2012, Pope Benedict appointed him adjunct secretary of the [[Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples]] and president of the [[Pontifical Mission Societies]], replacing Archbishop [[Piergiuseppe Vacchelli]], who had reached retirement age. He was given the personal title of archbishop at the same time.<ref name=vaticanbio>{{ cite press release | accessdate=13 November 2017 | url = http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2012/06/26/0385/00901.html | date = 26 June 2012 | language=it | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 26.06.2012 }}</ref> Pope Francis confirmed him as adjunct secretary on 21 September 2013.<ref>{{cite press release | language = it| url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2013/09/21/0594/01323.html | publisher = Holy See Press Office | title = Rinunce e Nomine, 22.09.2013 | access-date = 12 July 2023 }}</ref>

On 9 November 2017, [[Pope Francis]] promoted him to secretary of the Congregation.<ref>{{cite press release | accessdate=13 November 2017 | url =http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2017/11/09/0772/01679.htm | date = 9 November 2017 | language=it | title= Rinunce e Nomine, 09.11.2017 }}</ref>

On 13 April 2023, Pope Francis named him archbishop coadjutor of Tabora.<ref>{{cite press release | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/04/13/230413c.html | date = 13 April 2023 | access-date = 13 April 2023 | publisher = Holy See Press Office | title = Resignations and Appointments, 13.04.2023 }}</ref>

On 9 July 2023, Pope Francis announced the plans to make him a cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 30 September.<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 9 July 2023| publisher = Holy See Press Office | language = it | title = Le parole del Papa alla recita dell'Angelus, 09.07.2023 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/07/09/0502/01116.html }}</ref> At that consistory he was made cardinal priest of [[Santa Maria in Montesanto (Rome)|Santa Maria in Montesanto]].<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 1 October 2023 | date = 30 September 2023 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2023/09/30/230930b.html | title = Assignation of Titles and Deaconries to the new Cardinals, 30.09.2023 | publisher = Holy See Press Office}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| work=[[The Citizen (Tanzania)]] (TCT) |url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/protase-rugambwa-new-cardinal-with-vast-experience-in-the-holy-see-4385168 |title=Protase Rugambwa: New Cardinal with vast experience in the Holy See |date=30 September 2023 |author=France Media Agency and TCT |access-date=1 October 2023}}</ref>

On 10 November 2023, he became archbishop of Tabora upon the resignation of [[Paul R. Ruzoka]].<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = 11 November 2023 |date = 10 November 2023|url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/11/10/0785/01717.html | language = it | publisher = Holy See Press Office | title = Rinunce e nomine, 10.11.2023 }}</ref>

He participated as a [[Cardinal electors in the 2025 papal conclave|cardinal elector]] in the [[2025 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Leo XIV]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html| title=Cardinal Electors|date=6 May 2025|publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org|language=en|access-date=6 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506193115/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc3.html|archive-date=6 May 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Publication== Protase Rugambwa: ''Ministry and collaboration in small Christian communities: ″Communities in Rulenge Diocese-Tanzania, a case study"'', dissertation, Pontificia Università Lateranense, Rome, 1998.

==See also== *[[Cardinals created by Francis]] *[[Laurean Rugambwa]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{wikiquote}} * [https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_rugambwa_p.html Rugambwa Card. Protase]. [[Holy See Press Office]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20231002234323/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_rugambwa_p.html Archived] from the original on 2 October 2023 * [http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/brugam.html ′Archbishop Protase Rugambwa′] in Catholic-hierarchy.org

{{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-bef|before=[[Paul R. Ruzoka]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Kigoma|Bishop of Kigoma]]|years=18 January 2008 &ndash; 26 June 2012}} {{s-aft|after=[[Joseph Mlola|Joseph Roman Mlola]]}} {{s-bef|before=[[Piergiuseppe Vacchelli]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples|Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples]]|years=26 June 2012 - 9 November 2017}} {{s-aft|after=[[Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso]]}} {{s-bef|before=[[Paul R. Ruzoka]]}} {{s-ttl|title= [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora|Archbishop of Tabora]]|years=2023-}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}

{{College of Cardinals}} {{Cardinals created by Francis}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rugambwa, Protase}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1960 births]] [[Category:Pontifical Lateran University alumni]] [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in Tanzania]] [[Category:Members of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples]] [[Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Kigoma]] [[Category:Officials of the Roman Curia]] [[Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Benedict XVI]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Francis]] [[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Tanzania]] [[Category:Tanzanian cardinals]] [[Category:21st-century cardinals]] [[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Tabora]]