Mbeya (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]

Bishop(s)

Evaristo Marc Chengula, I.M.C., Bishop

General Information

Type of Jurisdiction: Diocese
Elevated: 25 March 1953
Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Songea
Rite: Latin (or Roman)
Country: Tanzania, United Republic of
Square Kilometers: 60,348 (23,309 Square Miles)
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 179, Mbeya, Tanzania
Telephone: 2502.250
Fax: 2504.170

Historical Details

Mission "Sui Iuris" of Tukuyu
- Erected: 18 July 1932
- Country: Tanzania, United Republic of
Prefecture Apostolic of Tukuyu
- Elevated: 29 March 1938
- Country: Tanzania, United Republic of
Vicariate Apostolic of Mbeya
- Latin Name: Mbeyaensis
- Elevated: 14 July 1949
- Vicariate
- Country: Tanzania, United Republic of

Past and Present Ordinaries

Max Theodor Franz Donders, M. Afr. † (11 Nov 1932 Appointed - 1938 Died)
Ludwig Haag, M. Afr. † (8 Apr 1938 Appointed - 1947 Resigned)
Antoon van Oorschoot, M. Afr. † (17 Oct 1947 Appointed - 10 Dec 1964 Died)
James Dominic Sangu † (3 May 1966 Appointed - 28 Nov 1996 Retired)
Evaristo Marc Chengula, I.M.C. (8 Nov 1996 Appointed - )

Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Mission "Sui Iuris" of Tukuyu
18 July 1932	Erected		Mission "Sui Iuris" of Tukuyu (erected)
Prefecture Apostolic of Tukuyu
29 March 1938	Elevated	Mission "Sui Iuris" of Tukuyu	Prefecture Apostolic of Tukuyu
Vicariate Apostolic of Mbeya
14 July 1949	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Tukuyu	Vicariate Apostolic of Mbeya
Diocese of Mbeya
25 March 1953	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Mbeya	Diocese of Mbeya
25 March 1972	Territory Lost	Diocese of Dodoma Diocese of Mbeya Diocese of Mbulu Archdiocese of Tabora	Diocese of Singida (erected)

Year Catholics Total Population Percent Catholic Diocesan Priests Religious Priests Total Priests Catholics Per Priest Permanent Deacons Male Religious Female Religious Parishes Source

Vicariate Apostolic of Mbeya

1950 20,517 308,240 6.7% 4 18 22 932 3 8 ap1951

Diocese of Mbeya

1970 65,200 775,000 8.4% 8 34 42 1,552 41 32 15 ap1971

1980 86,511 1,107,713 7.8% 10 33 43 2,011 37 62 19 ap1981

1990 142,482 1,315,446 10.8% 28 26 54 2,638 29 136 21 ap1991

1999 204,705 1,831,408 11.2% 49 14 63 3,249 20 149 25 ap2000

2000 207,699 1,888,181 11.0% 47 15 62 3,349 21 152 26 ap2001

2001 239,250 1,912,727 12.5% 50 16 66 3,625 21 161 25 ap2002

2002 246,500 1,972,021 12.5% 44 14 58 4,250 18 160 27 ap2003

2003 263,589 1,815,332 14.5% 44 13 57 4,624 17 178 27 ap2004

2004 248,238 1,867,975 13.3% 47 10 57 4,355 15 194 28 ap2005

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Mbeya
1950	20,517	308,240	6.7%	4	18	22	932		3	8	ap1951
Diocese of Mbeya
1970	65,200	775,000	8.4%	8	34	42	1,552	41	32	15	ap1971
1980	86,511	1,107,713	7.8%	10	33	43	2,011	37	62	19	ap1981
1990	142,482	1,315,446	10.8%	28	26	54	2,638	29	136	21	ap1991
1999	204,705	1,831,408	11.2%	49	14	63	3,249	20	149	25	ap2000
2000	207,699	1,888,181	11.0%	47	15	62	3,349	21	152	26	ap2001
2001	239,250	1,912,727	12.5%	50	16	66	3,625	21	161	25	ap2002
2002	246,500	1,972,021	12.5%	44	14	58	4,250	18	160	27	ap2003
2003	263,589	1,815,332	14.5%	44	13	57	4,624	17	178	27	ap2004
2004	248,238	1,867,975	13.3%	47	10	57	4,355	15	194	28	ap2005

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

Affiliated Bishops, Deceased

Max Theodor Franz Donders, M. Afr. † (Superior: 11 Nov 1932 to 1938)
Ludwig Haag, M. Afr. † (Prefect: 8 Apr 1938 to 1947)
James Dominic Sangu † (Bishop: 3 May 1966 to 28 Nov 1996)
Antoon van Oorschoot, M. Afr. † (Prefect: 17 Oct 1947; Vicar Apostolic: 14 Jul 1949; Bishop: 25 Mar 1953 to 10 Dec 1964)

Diocese of Mbeya

Dioecesis Mbeyaensis