Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father on 10 November 2007, appointed as Bishop of Musoma (Tanzania) Rev Michael George Mabuga Msonganzila of the clergy of Mwanza and National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Tanzania.
The Bishop elect was born on 17 July 1956 in the parish of Bukumbi, archdiocese of Mwanza. After attending Nyegezi Minor Seminar he studied philosophy at St. Anthony major seminary in Ntungamo, and theology at St. Paul major seminary in Kipalapala. He was ordained a priest on 2 December 1984 for the archdiocese of Mwanza.
Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1985-1989: assistant priest at Itira; teacher at Nyegezi minor seminary; 1989-1990: assistant priest at Murutunguru; 1990-1994: studies in Rome for a doctorate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University; 1995-1977: vocations director; 1996-1999: vicar general in Mwanza; 1999-2000 bishop's delegate for religious; 2000-2003: Professor at Peramiho major seminary; since 2005: counsellor at St Augustine University; parish priest at Malya and spiritual director for the Benedictine nuns in Mwanza; at present, national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Tanzania.
Musoma diocese, suffragan of Mwanza, was created in 1957. It has an area of 29,549sq. km., and a population of 1,390,000 including 250,000 Catholics, gathered in 36 parishes, assisted by 41 diocesan priests and 73 religious and missionary priests, 47 women religious and 300 catechists and there are 17 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/11/2007; Righe 19; Parole 235)
