DIOCESE OF SINGIDA

 

 

 

Foreword  of the Bishop:

 

Dear Brothers and sisters in Christ. The Diocese of Singida is happy to present to you this updated Directory of the Catholic Diocese of Singida. It is my hope that it will help you walk together with us in our motto of UMOJA NA MAPENDO alongside with the vision of the Church as the Family of God, “A Holy Spirit filled family of God, committed to holistic Evangelization and integral Development.” 

 

This directory summarizes diocesan struggles taken in fulfillment of the command Christ gave us when he said, “Go, therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you … ”  (Mt. 28: 19 – 20 ). All the offices, The family of God: Departments, Commissions, Institutions, and all the faithful are corporately networking for salvation which leaves none behind.  With the inspiration of our motto, I’m sure Singida’s faithful in cooperation with all people of good will more often than not succeed in evangelization which finally leads to heavenly communion with Jesus and our departed 

Brothers and sisters in heaven.

 

 

 The Catholic Diocese of Singida:

 

The Diocese of Singida created in March 25, 1972, is part of the savannah plateau of central Tanzania. It is situated between latitude 4˚ south to latitude 7˚ south. It lies north of the central railway line extending to the Great North road in the East and Wembere Swamp in the West. The Eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley is on both sides of the territory. There are 29 political Regions in Tanzania. There is always a temptation of identifying the diocese with the Region. As for Singida Diocese this is not quite accurate. The Diocese is a little bit larger than the Region. There are 6 political districts in the diocese:  Iramba, Singida Urban, Singida Rural, Ikungi, Mkalama and Manyoni.

 

Singida Diocese is situated within Singida Region, in northern central Tanzania – East Africa. It stands at a distance of 720 km from Dar Es Salaam (via Dodoma); 232 km from Dodoma the capital city of Tanzania and 335 km from Arusha.

 

Since 1972, the Diocese of Singida has endeavored to enhance integral development of society.   Evangelization is complete only when body and soul are cared for.

 

Tanzania has a total area of 942, 018 sq.km. This diocese is approximately 49,341 sq. km. The population of the diocese is estimated at 1,348,523 with a total of about 170,318 Catholics. The total number of people baptized in the Catholic Church in 2011 was 4,446

The density is clearly typical of the dry savannah and its distribution is fairly uniform. There is however, a somewhat greater population concentration in Singida and Iramba districts as compared to Manyoni. Most people live in villages. However most people rush to district towns which are the major trade and administrative  centres.

 

The biggest group in the diocese is the Wanyaturu. Other groups include the Wanyiramba, Wanyisanzu, Wagogo, Wataturu, Wasandawi, Wakimbu, Tindiga, Hadzabe, Barbaig, Sukuma and Wairaki. Each ethnic group has its own language. Swahili is widely spoken. Relatively few speak English; about 98% of the people are agriculturalists and pastoralists. Traders, technicians and administrators form about 2%.  Chief food crops are maize, millet and sorghum, sweet potatoes and cassava. Cash crops are tobacco, groundnuts, sunflower, cotton and some grapes.

 

Singida (Diocesan Headquarters) is at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters above sea level. Iramba descends to 2,000 ft. The highest wind velocities in the country are recorded in Singida (Kititimo).  Singida Region is part of the semi-arid centre of Tanzania with an average annual rainfall of 600mm. Tradition has it that November to April is the Wet Season however rainfall is erratic, and drought conditions are experienced  almost every  the other year.

 

The diocese has 64 kindergartens, 4 Primary schools, 6 secondary schools,   4 technical schools, a Grade A Teachers-training college and a Nursing Training college, owned or administered by the Diocese or religious congregations. .

 

There are 22 parishes, one Minor and one Junior Seminary.  Both categories are staffed by 64 Diocesan  Priests, 15 Expatriate Priests (Pallotine, Precious Blood and Consolata Fathers), 25 non-priest professed religious of Mothers and Bothers of the Holy  Cross, Puma and 401 professed women religious of numerous congregations of  both pontifical and diocesan rite.

This year 2012 the diocese has 15 major seminarians (3 in Theology and 12 in Philosophy). There are 251 Minor seminarians. There are 478 part time trained catechists. On top of that 561 Catholic marriages and 12 mixed marriages were registered in 2011  

 

The Ordinary 

 

The Ordinary is Rt. Desiderius M. Rwoma. He was born on 8th May, 1947 at Ilogero village, Kamachumu, Rutabo Parish in the Diocese of Bukoba. His parents are the late Baltazar Buruli and Aurelia Mukansingakwoga. In 1963 he joined Rutabo  Preparatory Seminary. His  Secondary education was at Rubya Junior Seminary from 1965 – 1968. He completed his Philosophical studies at Ntungamo Major Seminary, in Bukoba in 1970. He did his Theological studies at Kipalapala Senior Seminary from 1971 – 1974. He was ordained Priest on 28th July, 1974 by Rt. Rev. Nestor Timanywa.

 

After his ordination he served as assistant Parish Priest at Kasambya Parish. In December 1974, he was appointed member of staff of Rubya Seminary. In 1977 he went for Pastoral Education studies at AMECEA Gaba Pastoral Institute (Eldoret), Kenya, where he graduated in  Pastoral Theology.

 

He was reappointed to St. Mary’s Rubya Seminary in Bukoba Diocese as soon as he graduated in 1977. From 1977 to July 1984 he served as a Teacher, 5th March 1978 Vice Rector and Spiritual Director of Rubya Seminary, Chaplain of the Rubya Nursing and Mid-wife Training Centre (NMTC). 14July–14thOctober 1980 Clinical Pastoral Education Course (CPE) at KCMC Moshi.  From 26 June 1984-1987 and   6th June 1987 member of the Senate, 1st July 1994 Bishop’s counselor,  11 Julai 1984 - 26th June 1987Chaplain of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. From 27th June 1987 – 1997, Rector of Rubya Junior Seminary. He was Vicar General of Bukoba Diocese from 15th July 1997 - April 29,1999. On 30th April he was nominated Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Singida and ordained for the same Diocese on 11th July 1999.  From June 2009 up to now he is Bishop Chairman of the Lay Apostolate Department of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC). 

 

Residence:

Bishop’s House,

P.O.Box 487, Singida.

Mobile:                  +255752659342

E-mail address:     brwoma@yahoo.com

Fax:                         (026) 250 2534

 

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SINGIDA

 

Bishop: Rt. Rev. Desiderius Rwoma

Date of Birth: May 08, 1947

Date of Ordained Priest:  July 28, 1974

Postal Address: P.O.Box 487, Singida

E-mail address: brwoma@yahoo.com

Fax: (026) 250 2534

 

GENERAL STATISTICS (30 September, 2012)

 

Total Population

1,348,523

•  

Baptized Catholics

   170,318

•  

Non Catholic

1,178,205

•  

Catechumens

       1,744

•  

Parishes

            22

•  

Mission stations

           281

•  

Diocesan Priests:67

In apostolate within the Diocese:50

In apostolate outside the diocese:8

In studies:9

            

•  

Religious Priests

             15

•  

Non-priests professed religious

             25

•  

Major Seminarians

             15

•  

Religious - Women

           401

•  

Catechists

           478

•  

Outstations

           506

•  

Education Institutes

             77

•  

Charitable Institutes

             26

 

Previous Ordinary: 

The Rt. Rev. Bernard Mabula+  Born in 1920 at Ndala, Tabora. Ordained Priest on 15th August 1952. Auxiliary Bishop of Tabora (1969 – 1972). Bishop of Singida 1972 – 1999. Death: 24 February, March 2007 and was burried in Singida Sacred Heart Cathedral on 1st March 2007.

 

 

I. DIOCESAN OFFICIALS

 

The Vicar General                                                                                Secretary of the Bishop

Fr. Francis Lyimu                                                                                  Fr. Deogratias Makuri

Residence: St. Patrick’s   Seminary, Dung’unyi,                                         Residence: Bishop’s House

P.O.Box 275, Singida.                                                                           P.O.Box 487, Singida.

 

EPISCOPAL VICAR OF THE RELIGIOUS:

Rev. Fr. Tom Ryan

P.O.Box

Singida.

Mob: +255764284141; Email:

 

TREASURER: Fr. Edward Mapunda

Bishop’s House,

P.O.Box 487,

Singida.

Mob:  +255754588297

 

COLLEGE OF CONSULTORS

 

Fr. Francis Lyimu (V.G)

Fr. Tom Ryan (Episcopal Vicar for the Religious)

Fr. Edward Mapunda

Fr. Deogratias Makuri

Fr. Alois Ntandu

Fr. Ladislaus Bahali

Fr. Gilbert Mwiru

 

DEANS OF THE DIOCESE:

Fr. Alois Ntandu (Central Denary)

Fr. John Makarius (Southern Denary)

Fr. Stephen Sinda (Northern Denary)  

 

PASTORAL DIRECTOR: Rev. Francis Lyimu,

St. Patrick’s Junior Seminary, Dung’unyi,

P.O.Box 275, Singida.

Mob: +255789775898; E- mail: lyimu@yahoo.com

 

Departments

 

• Lay Apostolate: Fr. Isdore Makutu

• Communication: Fr. Deogratias Makuri

• Justice and Peace: Fr. Karoli Kidamui

• Liturgy: Fr. Deogratias Makuri

• Catechesis: Fr. Gabriel Choda

• Education:  Fr. Gilbert Mwiru

• Caritas: Mr. Baltazar Sungi

• Health: Fr. Edward Mapunda

• Pontifical Mission Societies: Fr. Laurent Bahali

• Pastoral: Fr. Francis Lyimu                                                

 

F. SEMINARIES AND HOUSES OF FORMATION:

 

Seminaries:

      Junior Seminaries  1

• St. Patrick Dung’unyi,Seminary,

P.O. Box 275, Singida.

 

      Preparatory Seminary           1

• St. William, Diagwa Primary Seminary 

P.O.Box. 487, Singida.

 

Houses of Formation

      Diocesan formation Centre:

      St. Bernard Formation House, Itigi.

P.O.Box 12, Itigi.

   

Religious formation Houses:

·         St. Ursula formation House, Mkiwa. P.O.Box. 96, Itigi.

·         Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, Formation House, Mangua, P.O.Box 487, Singida.

·         St. Carolus Borromeo Formation House, P.O.Box   248, Singida

·         Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Formation House, P.O.Box 12, Itigi

·         Pallottine Sisters, Formation House, P. O.Box 964, Singida.

·         Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family, Ntuntu Parish, P,O. Box 487, Singida

·         Missionaries of  the Mother of  the Holy Cross, Puma P.O.Box 207, Singida.

·         Brothers of the Missionaries of the Holy Cross, Puma, P.O.Box 207, Singida.

 

G. Deaneries: 3 Central Deanery, Northern Deanery and Southern Deanery

 

H. PARISHES (With Religious Houses and Institutions)

 

• CHEMCHEM (119 Km North West, 1950)

P.O.Box 116, Singida.

Patron : St. Joseph the Worker

Parish Priest: Stephen Sinda

Contact: Mob. 0784295242

·         Daughters’ of Mary of Tabora

·         Chemchem Dispensary

 

• CHIBUMAGWA ( 156 Km South, 1979)

P.O.BOX 51, Kilimatinde.

Patroness: Our Lady of the Assumption 

Parish Priest: Denis Mlimira

Contact: Mob. 0752915742

·         Adorers of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Sisters.

·         Chibumagwa Health Centre.

 

• DUNG’UNYI ( 34.5 Km. South, 1949)

P.O.Box 175, Singida.

Patron: St. Patrick

Parish Priest: Ladislaus Bahali

Contact: Mob.  0786389330  

 

·         St. Patrick’s Junior Seminary, P.O.Box 275,Singida

·         St. Ursula VTC, Issuna, P.O.Box 96, Itigi

 

• HEKA (175 Km, South, 1986)

P.O.Box 158, Manyoni

Patron: Holy Spirit

Parish Priest: Remmo Villa      

Contact: Mob. 0754679985

·         Benedictines Sisters of St. Agnes of Chipole.

 

• IGUGUNO ( 31 Km. West, 1982)

P.O.Box 896, Singida.

Patron: St. Vincent Pallotti

Parish Priest: Fr. Elias Gunda

Contact: Mob. 0685515924

·         Assumption Sisters

·         St. Maria Eugenia Primary School

·         Dispensary

 

• ILONGERO ( 26 Km. North,  1935)

P.O.Box 124, Singida.

Patroness: Our Lady of the Assumption

Parish Priest: Fr. Andrea Mrema

Contact: Mob. 0784444561   

·         Daughters of Mary, Tabora.

·         Cheshire home for Disabled Children

 

• ITAJA (  45 Km. North-East, 1996)

P.O.Box 167, Singida.

Patron: St. Luke

Parish Priest: Fr. Laurent Bahali

Contact: Mob.  0756434972   

·         Murigha Girl’s Secondary School, P.O.Box 470, Singida. Email: Murigha@bushlink.co.tz

·         Sisters of Teresa of the Child Jesus- Bukoba P.O.Box 470, Singida.

 

• ITIGI ( 117 Km. South, 1973)

P.O.Box 12, Itigi.

Patron: Precious Blood of Jesus

Parish Priest: Fr. John Makarius

Contact. Mob. 0756399188

·         Sisters of Mercy, P.O.Box 12, Itigi

·         Sisters of St. Gemma Galgan, P.O.Box 12, Itigi

·         St. Bernard Formation Centre, P.O.Box 12, Itigi

·         St. Bernard’s Catechetical Centre, P.O.Box  12, Itigi.

·         St.Gaspar Hospital, P.O.Box 12, Itigi, Email: sangasparhospital@bushlink.co.tz

·         Ursuline Sisters (Mkiwa), P.O.Box 96, Itigi

·         Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O.Box 96, Itigi.

·         Adorers of the Precious Blood of Jesus, Sisters, P.O.Box 12, Itigi.

·         Malongwe Dispensary

·         Immaculate Heart Sisters- Musoma