Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tabora (Agenzia Fides) - "We are grateful to God for the continuous growth of vocations in the St. Paul's major Seminary in Kipalapala, where about 290 seminarians are currently pursuing their theological studies. Together with their formators, teachers and non-teaching staff, it is an honor for us to experience this year in which we are preparing to celebrate its centenary," said the Archbishop of Tabora, Cardinal Protase Rugambwa, to Fides on the occasion of the awarding of diplomas to 40 seminarians who have completed their theological studies and formation for the priesthood.
"Kipalapala" continues the Cardinal "is one of the three theological seminaries run by the Bishops' Conference of Tanzania," the Cardinal continued. "It is located in the Archdiocese of Tabora and was founded by the African missionaries when Tabora was still the Apostolic Vicariate of Unyanyembe in the town of Ushirombo, where the Vicariate was based. That was in 1918. Later the Seminary moved to a place called Utinta in the present diocese of Mpanda and since 1925 it has been located in Kipalapala."
"As I said," the Archbishop adds, "the Seminary serves all the ecclesiastical areas of Tanzania, and sometimes seminarians from neighboring countries, as well as members of religious institutes and societies of apostolic life, also come here to study."
The Archdiocese of Tabora has been instrumental in the existence and growth of the Seminary. Consequently, the Archbishop of Tabora is in charge of the Seminary on behalf of the Tanzanian Bishops' Conference, and is also a member of its administrative council. "In fact, I am personally involved with my collaborators and the faithful in various activities and events in view of the preparations for the centenary, which will take place in the second half of next year and which are already underway," he says.
"We pray to God to bless our efforts," Cardinal Rugambwa concludes, "so that the centenary becomes a source of new life and growth aimed at forming good future servants of the Church for the life and mission of the Church in Tanzania and elsewhere." (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 11/6/2024)
