Diocese of Kigoma

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Bishop(s) Protase Rugambwa, Bishop

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese Elevated: 25 March 1953 Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Tabora Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Tanzania, United Republic of Square Kilometers: 42,000 (16,222 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Bishop's House, P.O. Box 71, Kigoma, Tanzania Telephone: (028)280.3115/6 Fax: 280.2043

Historical Details

• Vicariate Apostolic of Tanganika
  • Latin Name: Tangankiensis
  • Erected: 27 September 1880
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Tanzania, United Republic of

• Vicariate Apostolic of Kigoma
  • Latin Name: Kigomaensis
  • Name Changed: 10 May 1946
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Tanzania, United Republic of

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Jean-Baptiste-Frézal Charbonnier, M. Afr. † (14 Jan 1887 Appointed - 16 Mar 1888 Died)
• Léonce Bridoux, M. Afr. † (15 Jun 1888 Appointed - 21 Oct 1890 Died)
• Adolphe Lechaptois, M. Afr. † (19 Jun 1891 Appointed - 30 Nov 1917 Died)
• Joseph-Marie Birraux, M. Afr. † (22 Apr 1920 Appointed - 22 Apr 1936 Appointed, Superior General of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers))
• John van Sambeek, M. Afr. † (19 Nov 1936 Appointed - 22 Nov 1957 Resigned)
• James Holmes-Siedle, M. Afr. † (5 Aug 1958 Appointed - 15 Dec 1969 Resigned)
• Alphonse Daniel Nsabi † (15 Dec 1969 Appointed - 16 Aug 1989 Died)
• Paul R. Ruzoka (10 Nov 1989 Appointed - 25 Nov 2006 Appointed, Archbishop of Tabora)
• Protase Rugambwa (18 Jan 2008 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Vicariate Apostolic of Tanganika
27 September 1880	Erected		Vicariate Apostolic of Tanganika (erected)
10 May 1946	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Tanganika	Vicariate Apostolic of Karema (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Kigoma
10 May 1946	Name Changed	Vicariate Apostolic of Upper Congo {Congo Superiore} Vicariate Apostolic of Tanganika	Vicariate Apostolic of Kigoma
Diocese of Kigoma
25 March 1953	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Kigoma	Diocese of Kigoma

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Kigoma
1950	14,702	355,000	4.1%	2	41	43	341		41	17		ap1951
Diocese of Kigoma
1969	76,801	496,649	15.5%	2	42	44	1,745		52	67	16	ap1971
1980	100,135	474,000	21.1%	8	25	33	3,034		28	54	14	ap1981
1990	165,002	850,300	19.4%	15	21	36	4,583		23	70	15	ap1991
1999	342,633	1,035,284	33.1%	39	19	58	5,907		26	91	16	ap2000
2000	398,975	1,238,356	32.2%	39	17	56	7,124		25	64	17	ap2001
2001	419,576	1,247,178	33.6%	39	13	52	8,068		22	96	17	ap2002
2002	427,404	1,247,178	34.3%	46	13	59	7,244		22	105	17	ap2003
2003	429,304	1,259,694	34.1%	46	18	64	6,707		25	98	18	ap2004
2004	409,900	1,680,009	24.4%	46	20	66	6,210		29	132	18	ap2005
2006	439,508	1,824,000	24.1%	47	9	56	7,848		20	144	19	ap2007

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops, Living

• Protase Rugambwa (Bishop: 18 Jan 2008 - )
• Paul R. Ruzoka (Priest: 20 Jul 1975; Bishop: 10 Nov 1989 to 25 Nov 2006)

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Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

• Joseph-Marie Birraux, M. Afr. † (Vicar Apostolic: 22 Apr 1920 to 22 Apr 1936)
• Léonce Bridoux, M. Afr. † (Vicar Apostolic: 15 Jun 1888 to 21 Oct 1890)
• Jean-Baptiste-Frézal Charbonnier, M. Afr. † (Vicar Apostolic: 14 Jan 1887 to 16 Mar 1888)
• James Holmes-Siedle, M. Afr. † (Bishop: 5 Aug 1958 to 15 Dec 1969)
• Adolphe Lechaptois, M. Afr. † (Vicar Apostolic: 19 Jun 1891 to 30 Nov 1917)
• Alphonse Daniel Nsabi † (Bishop: 15 Dec 1969 to 16 Aug 1989)
• John van Sambeek, M. Afr. † (Vicar Apostolic: 19 Nov 1936; Bishop: 25 Mar 1953 to 22 Nov 1957)