In 2017, Archbishop Rugambwa was appointed Secretary of Propaganda Fide, the Vatican department tasked with “the transmission and dissemination of the faith throughout the whole world” that has “the specific responsibility of coordinating and guiding all the Church's diverse missionary efforts and initiatives”, which he served until last month (March 2023).
During his service at the Vatican, the Tanzanian-born Archbishop is known to have defended the youth facing migration challenges.
In a July 2022 report, Archbishop Rugambwa urged members of the Association of the Regional Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa (ACERAC) at their Plenary Assembly in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, to defend the youth as they are vulnerable to migration challenges.
“The Episcopate of Central Africa should be the mouthpiece and tireless defender of youth in their respective governments and societies, drawing attention to the reality of the migratory phenomenon, which sees young people at the forefront, especially as victims,” he said during the assembly that sought to address the “Phenomenon of the Youth Migration: The case of Central Africa.”
He said that it is necessary “to help the youth of Central Africa not to waste, but rather to shape an identity that values their origins, their culture and their religiosity in the encounter with new cultural and religious schemes and models.”
Archbishop Rugambwa is expected to assist the 75-year-old Archbishop Paul Runangaza Ruzoka who has been at the helm of the Archdiocese since January 2007.
Having the right to automatic succession to the Tanzanian Metropolitan See upon any eventuality, including retirement or transfer, Archbishop Rugambwa is to serve as the immediate collaborator of Archbishop Runangaza in the Archdiocese that measures 76,151 square-kilometer with a population of 235,748 Catholics representing 10 percent of the total population, according to the 2020 statistics.
Tabora Archdiocese was erected in January 1887 as Vicariate Apostolic of Tanganyika before being elevated to an Archdiocese in March 1953.
Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.
