The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Protase Rugambwa of Kigoma, Tanzania, as adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and president of the Pontifical Missionary Works, at the same time elevating him to the dignity of archbishop. He succeeds Archbishop Piergiuseppe Vacchelli, whose resignation from the same offices the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Protase Rugambwa was born on May 31, 1960 at Bunena, in the diocese of Bukoba. After his primary and secondary schools in various minor seminaries in Katoke, Itaga, he joined Kibosho Senior Seminary and St. Charles Lwanga Segerea Senior Seminary for philosophy and theological studies respectively. He was ordained a Priest on 2nd September 1990 in Dar-es-Salaam, by blessed John Paul II during his pastoral visit to Tanzania.