Thursday, August 18, 2011

Cardinal Rugambwa to be ‘permanently buried’

Although it is now almost 14 years since the first Catholic African cardinal died, the late Laurean Rugambwa is yet to be officially buried at the designated place for the rite inside Bukoba Catholic Church in Kagera Region.

The main and only reason why it has taken so long to officially bury Cardinal Rugambwa at the selected permanent resting place for him, is because the church, which is a monument of his spiritual devotion and evangelical work, has been undergoing renovation that started before his death.

The Citizen on Sunday has now reliably learnt from sources within the Bukoba Diocese that the much delayed exercise and long awaited ritual, which is an important aspect in the history of Catholicism in the country and Africa, will take place next year.

To ensure the burial is not further delayed, every stone is being turned at all levels and in every aspect to ensure the renovation of the cathedral, which is one of the major landmarks in Bukoba Township, is completed before the end of this year.

The church, whose construction he played a pivotal role, was inaugurated in 1968, the year he became the archbishop of Dar es Salaam, where he died on December 8, 1997. 

That was five years after His Eminence, aged 85, retired from active church service in 1992.

The remains of the late cleric, who was elevated to the cardinate in 1960, are currently temporarily buried at the Kashozi parish in Bukoba Rural District. 

According to Bukoba Diocese auxiliary Bishop Methodius Kilaini, the renovations of the cathedral was nearing completion, as well as of the place reserved for Cardinal Rugambwa’s burial.

“I hope you have definitely passed by the cathedral in the past few days. We are presently in a very big rush to make sure the renovations that we had anticipated to have been completed by this year are not prolonged much further,” said Bishop Kilaini in an exclusive interview with The Citizen on Sunday.

During the interview, the outspoken cleric, who was serving in the Diocese of Dar es Salaam before his transfer to Bukoba in 2009, also spoke on a wide range of issues, including the contribution of the Catholic Church during Tanzania’s 50 years of political independence.

The church has done a lot in that regard particularly in the provision of social services and the immense development support cannot be heralded without mentioning the role played by Cardinal Rugambwa. 

Apart from the call to serve and save souls, the cardinal, who was involved in conclaves that selected three popes, will always be remembered and missed for his unique concern about people’s welfare.

Bishop Kilaini said that although the church had not yet specified the exact date of the final burial, they were concerned by the long time that had elapsed since his death.

He said finalising the rite is important since some people may have started to think that the cardinal had already been buried permanently, which is not the case.

“In fact, we are supposed to do everything possible within our powers to ensure the body of Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa is at last buried permanently. I appreciate the efforts by Bishop Nestory Timanywa, who has been making efforts to ensure the renovations are completed within the shortest time possible,” he added. 

He said the renovation has now reached final stages and a place where the body of the cardinal will be laid to rest has already been prepared within the church building, which now has a totally new look.

He said although it had taken quite a long time to complete the facelift, the invested resources and time have led to the creation of a proper place for the world- dignified religious leader to be buried.

Cardinal Rugambwa was born on July 12, 1912, in Kagera Region and became a Christian, along with his father and mother, at the age of eight. After studying at the Regional Grand Seminary of Katigondo in Uganda, he was ordained to the priesthood on December 12, 1943.

“His Eminence Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa will be remembered for his untiring efforts and contribution to the development of common people in Kagera Region and the whole of Tanzania,” the director of the communications department of Bukoba Diocese, Fr Procecius Mutungi, said on Thursday.

He said his contribution included enhancing health services through the establishment of Mugana and Kagondo hospitals in Bukoba Rural and Muleba Districts, respectively, as well as strengthening the famous Ihungo and Rugambwa secondary schools.

According to him, the religious leader was not only devoted at spiritual salvation and healing, but also social development of human beings, which was the reason he supported social services delivery in many various ways.

“For instance, it was Cardinal Rugambwa who brought Canocian sisters to Kagera where they established, and continue running Kagondo and Mugana hospitals. He also encouraged other missionaries to come to the region and work in other sectors, especially education, thereby laying down the foundation for growth and development.”

Fr Mutungi said Cardinal Rugambwa was also behind the introduction of credit unions, which were decisive financial services during the early days of Tanzania’s independence.