Archdiocese of Tabora #2118

Tabora Archdiocese in Tanzania: Dynamic Growth at the Peripheries of the Church

Tanzania in East Africa is famous for Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, and also for the Serengeti plains, with the largest concentration of wildlife on earth. But did you know that Tanzania is also one of the places on earth where the Catholic Church is growing most rapidly?

Tabora is a very historic Archdiocese that originally covered most of the western half of Tanzania, from Lake Victoria all the way to Congo. Over the last century, as the Church has grown, Tabora has given birth to many new dioceses, but it remains the largest diocese in Tanzania in land area.

Tabora is actually a Muslim-majority region, with Catholics as the second largest religious group.  The Catholic Church has a very visible presence and works closely with the regional government for the benefit of local citizens. Our Mission is to preach the Good News to all people in word and deed.  Here are some of our greatest needs and opportunities:

• Direct Evangelization through Catholic radio: The Archdiocese has recently initiated a Catholic Radio station.  We are reaching women at the marketplace and farmers in their fields with catechesis, reflection on the Mass readings, and stories of the Saints.  The electricity bill to operate the radio tower is very steep- but the impact is high.  Funding is also needed for new programming.
• Vocations: One of the most pressing needs of the Archdiocese is support for vocations. We are grateful to God to have more than 70 good and holy young men in formation. This is a great gift for us and indeed the Universal Church.  However tuition and upkeep of seminarians is a very big challenge, and we would hate to turn away anyone with a true vocation for lack of finances.
• Church Construction: with growing Catholic Congregations, and especially a burgeoning population of children and youth, the Church buildings we have are too few and too small. New Churches are under construction in each of the deaneries of the Archdiocese.  Although local Catholics contribute generously from their crops and work, more rapid progress can be made with international cooperation.
• Helping Vulnerable Populations: The Catholic Church in Tabora has multiple schools, hospitals, and other projects serving people of all religions.  Working with St. Mother of Teresa of Calcutta’s Missionaries of Charity, we have homes for the abandoned elderly and street children. We have a special home and school for children with Albinism, who are especially vulnerable to violence in this part of Africa.  

In 2023, Pope Francis recognized the importance of Tabora by raising our new Archbishop, Protase Rugambwa, to the College of Cardinals. This is part of Pope Francis’ commitment to making sure that voices are being heard ‘from the peripheries’, where the Church is growing fastest. We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with the Christian people of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to help build the Kingdom of God on earth.

Support the Archdiocese of Tabora #2118

You can support the Archdiocese of Tabora #2118 through your prayers and monetary donation by making a check payable to THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, 3424 Wilshire Blvd 3rd Fl., Los Angeles CA 90010, memo #2118. You may also donate online by clicking the donate button. When making an online donation, reference #2118 in the Memo box. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.