Diocese of

Tunduru–Masasi

Tanzania

Continent: Eastern and Central Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Tunduru–Masasi / Tunduruen(sis)–Masasien(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Songea

Neighbouring Dioceses: Lichinga (↙), Songea (←), Lindi (↗), Mtwara (→), Pemba (↘)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1986.10.17: Established as Diocese of Tunduru–Masasi / Tunduruen(sis)–Masasien(sis) (Latin) (from the suppressed Diocese of Nachingwea and became suffragan of Dar-es-Salaam)
1987.11.18: Became suffragan of Songea

Present Prelates

Bishop (2018.12.08 – ...):

Bishop Filbert Felician Mhasi (55)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Tunduru–Masasi (Roman Rite)

Bishop Filbert Felician Mhasi (55)
(2018.12.08 – ...)

Bishop of Tunduru–Masasi (Tanzania)

Born:	1970.11.30 (Biro, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	2001.07.03
Consecrated Bishop:	2019.02.17

Priest of Mahenge (Tanzania) (2001.07.03 – 2018.12.08)

Bishop of Tunduru–Masasi (Tanzania) (2018.12.08 – ...)

Bishop Castor Paul Msemwa
(2005.08.25 – 2017.10.19)

Born:	1955.02.13 (Kitulira, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	1987.06.07
Consecrated Bishop:	2005.01.30
Died:	2017.10.19 (Muscat, Oman † 62)

Priest of Njombe (Tanzania) (1987.06.07 – 2004.12.07)

Coadjutor Bishop of Tunduru–Masasi (Tanzania) (2004.12.07 – 2005.08.25)

Bishop of Tunduru–Masasi (Tanzania) (2005.08.25 – 2017.10.19)

Bishop Magnus Mwalunyungu
(1992.03.30 – 2005.08.25)

Born:	1930.08.25 (Nsengilindete, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	1959.08.23
Consecrated Bishop:	1992.06.25
Died:	2015.02.13 († 84)

Bishop of Tunduru–Masasi (Tanzania) (1992.03.30 – 2005.08.25)

Bishop Polycarp Pengo (later Cardinal)
(1986.10.17 – 1990.01.22)

Ecce ego Domine

Born:	1944.08.05 (Mwazye, Tanzania)
Ordained Priest:	1971.06.20
Consecrated Bishop:	1984.01.06
Created Cardinal:	1998.02.21
Died:	2026.02.19 (Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania † 81)

Priest of Sumbawanga (Tanzania) (1971.06.20 – 1983.11.11)

Bishop of Nachingwea (Tanzania) (1983.11.11 – 1986.10.17)

Bishop of Tunduru–Masasi (Tanzania) (1986.10.17 – 1990.01.22)

Coadjutor Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) (1990.01.22 – 1992.07.22)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) (1992.07.22 – 2019.08.15)

Cardinal-Priest of Nostra Signora de La Salette (1998.02.21 [1998.04.26] – 2026.02.19)

President of Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (2007.06 – 2013.09)

Member of Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organisational and Economic Problems of the Apostolic See (2012.06.23 – 2014.02.24)

Former Prelates

Coadjutor Bishop: Bishop Castor Paul Msemwa (2004.12.07 – 2005.08.25)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier, Tunduru, Ruvuma

Lichinga (↙), Songea (←), Lindi (↗), Mtwara (→), Pemba (↘)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 22,730 km²

Population: 123,190 Catholics (10.3% of 1,200,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 22 parishes

Personnel: 35 priests (19 diocesan, 16 religious), 116 religious (17 brothers, 99 sisters), 7 seminarians

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2026.03.30

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