Memoirs of Cardinal Rugambwa: His last Journeys to Europe and Bukoba

By

Fr. Stan Mutajwaha, PhD

Catholic Diocese of Bukoba, Tanzania

(Writing from USA)

(3) Rome. Signor Orlando, a driver resident at Collegio San Pietro Apostolo, very well known to His Eminence, was at the Fiumicino Airport waiting to pick His Eminence. He had been sent by the Administration of Collegio San Pietro Apostolo. He had the specific assignment to drive his Eminence wherever and whenever he needed to go within Rome and its suburbs. As we drove from the Aeroporto di Roma Signor Orlando spoke about the heightening excitement of whole city at the upcoming event of the Holy Father’s 50th anniversary celebrations. As we reached Collegio San Pietro, all the staff members, priests, brothers and nuns were there to receive his Eminence. He was led to his special apartment.

The main element that makes this apartment so special is probably not so much its elegance but the history behind it. The apartment was offered to His Eminence in the early sixties when he was created Cardinal becoming the First African prince of the Church. It would remain securely locked when he was away. Any time he came to Rome it was always there for him. There was no confusion about that and no other visitor used it. The story behind this special offer is that, while doing his studies as a young priest in Rome in the 1940s Rugambwa resided at Collegio San Pietro. His later elevation to the College of Cardinals was received as a great honor to Collegio San Pietro and its very history. So, the Collegio allocated a whole apartment for his exclusive use on the main building.

To be continued: The next post will cover the period from the day of our arrival in Rome, the Celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of Pope John Paul II and departure for Belgium.

Memoirs of Cardinal Rugambwa:  His last Journeys to Europe and Bukoba

By

Fr. Stan Mutajwaha, PhD.

Catholic Diocese of Bukoba, Tanzania

(Writing from USA)

(2) From Dar es Salaam to Rome

 We flew by the British Airways from the now Mwalimu Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam to Rome via London.  Though thorough as they ought to be, our check-in and passport control formalities went as fast as they could be probably because we entered through the VIP lounge. His Eminence was travelling on a diplomatic passport and my documents were in order.  Our reserved seats were next to each other in the economy class.  When we boarded the plane His Eminence chose to sit along to the aisle. So, I took the window. We had hardly had the time to fasten our belts when one air hostess came and requested His Eminence to go and take a place in the business class. His Eminence thanked the air hostess for the courtesy but explained that he was unfortunately not able to accept the promotion since doing so would have meant leaving me behind in the economy class. The air hostess went and spoke to I do not know whom and returned very soon later. She repeated the offer but now assuring His Eminence at the same time that there were two places in the business class ready, one for each of us. His Eminence thanked her again and said to me, “Now that they have found places for both of us, let us go”.  I had never flown business class before but now I did and without a proper ticket. It made me remember the words someone had told me a couple days before while this journey was being arranged: “You are accompanying a titan”.

As the plane readied for takeoff, His Eminence was pressing the beads, quietly reciting his rosary. When he was ready with the rosary, he introduced a conversation. At one point he asked if I still remembered the very scary turbulences we had met about five years earlier as we flew over the Alp Mountains between Italy and Switzerland. His Eminence was referring to one occasion when he had asked me to escort him from Rome to Aachen in Germany where he had an appointment with the Directors of Missio-Aachen.  He was going to present and discuss one development project for the Archdiocese of Dar es salaam with the officials of this Missionary Funding Organization. On that bad weather day and in those clouds that plane probably shook more than usual and I am not sure whether there were many passengers on board who will have enjoyed that kind of situation. So, no wonder that almost five years later His Eminence still remembered those turbulences. But, luckily on this entire journey nothing similar happened.  

Laying the Foundation for Gender Equality: The vision and work of Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa

By

Cecilia K. Rugimbana

Consultant on Gender & Development

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

There is a lot that has been said about the good and commendable work of the Great Son of Africa, Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa. Indeed we are all proud to be associated with his name and his work while he was still here on earth and hope that one day we will join him to sing and praise the Lord.

There is yet a lot more that could and will said about his work which is recognized all over the world. That he was the first African cardinal is an honour not only to his name but to the African race which historically was defamed and underdeveloped by historical events such as slave trade and the colonization of African kingdoms in the 17^th-19^th century. Among these were, in East Africa, the great lakes kingdoms of Buganda, Bunyoro, Kitara, Karagwe etc.  In the south, they included the Great Zulu Kingdom and that of chief Rumanika were colonized through the deceptive and malicious activities of the mineral prospectors.  Chiefs were made to sign dubious treaties which were interpreted as willingness on the part of those chiefs to give up their land and authority in exchange of beads and guns! The role of the missionary and explorers in the colonization of Africa is or was part and parcel of this process, but later on with technological changes in the colonizers economy, the missionaries were also in the forefront to advocate for sovereignty of the colonies and to end slave trade in ’overseas territories ‘They set exemplary activities in the development of the colonies in the field of education and health by introducing institutions providing social welfare in those areas.

In Bukoba (then representing Kagera region)[1] even to date the schools and hospitals set during colonial rule have managed to pass the test of the time. Looking around now, it is true that, more than ever before, there are several schools reflecting the current development polices underlining the role of the private sector in production and the delivery of social services including health, water and education. Private schools have mushroomed   all over the place. However before this two -decade development phenomenon, schools were strongly associated first, with missionary work before the nationalization policies of the first phase government.

Kashozi Parish in Bugabo division is the oldest parish in the region, and marks the work of missionaries in the region over a century ago. The parish had, as part of the package, a dispensary and later on a primary and middle school (for girls). Similarly Mugana Parish in Kiziba division had a dispensary (now a district designated hospital) a girl’s home craft centre and middle schools (Standard 5-8) for boys and girls separately. Muleba district, Rubya parish also hosted similar institutions. In addition Kagondo and Ndolage Hospitals were also established by missionaries (Catholics and Lutherans respectively).  Ndolage had also a nurses training institute for primary school leavers. This pattern seems to have been repeated elsewhere in the country where missionaries were involved.

It was under this context that Cardinal Lauren Rugambwa ordained as a priest in 1943 was to work in. As a clergy it is on record that he quickly expanded existing (primary) schools while also establishing new ones. He also mobilized resources (both human and material) for the support of these institutions

An outstanding example is the Rugambwa Girls High school. Opened in 1965, it was and till recently remained the only girls secondary school in the area. The significance of this school lies in the fact that Cardinal Rugambwa had made a very significant observation, an observation that at his time and even today may be taken for granted, but had it not been for him, efforts to promote girls education in Kagera would be 4-5 decades backward.

Kagera and Kilimanjaro regions are known for successful endeavors in education compared to other regions in Tanzania. However, the society in Kagera being patriarchal in structure showed preference to boys in terms of education opportunities against girls. By mid 1960s, Bukoba had 4 secondary schools, none of them targeting girls. These were Nyakato (Government owned), St Thomas More (Ihungo), Kahororo and Grewal  (Bukoba) secondary schools. The last school was basically for the Asian Community, while St Thomas More and Kahororo were owned by Catholic and Lutheran Church respectively. You will note that there was no girls secondary school by that year. The establishment of Rugambwa GIRLS HIGH school therefore was a milestone in achieving gender equality by promoting girls education in the region, and by proxy, in the nation.

As mentioned above, education institutions during colonial rule and soon after independence were strongly associated with missionary work or establishment. Lower primary schools (standard 1-4) were found throughout the region and these were accessible to both boys and girls. After standard 4 pupils were screened to join middle schools (standard 5-8). By 1965 there were limited numbers of the middle schools for girls including Mugana, Kashozi, Rubya and Kashasha all owned by missionaries as well as at Rwamishenye which was a government owned school.  After standard 8, only a few successful students would be selected to join secondary schools or Teachers Training Colleges mostly in Mwanza or the East Lake Region as it was known by then. Generally there were limited opportunities for joining secondary schools in the region because of the few secondary schools existing at this time. Boys had at least 4 secondary schools but there was none for girls as was already mentioned above. Gender equality in education was therefore not only culturally constrained by patriarchal structures of the society, but also institutionally constrained by lack of facilities for the girl child, as well as lack of supportive policies promoting gender equality in education and related opportunities.

It is in this context that that we view the work Of Cardinal Lauren Rugambwa in promoting girls education visionary and an important contribution to this nation. The Cardinal was much ahead of both the current Education Policy and The Education Act which spells out gender equality principles in providing education opportunities for both girls and boys. He did not only raise funds for the construction and furnishing the school, but went further to equip the school with professionals in school administration and academic delivery. The Maryknoll sisters who by that time were already at Marian college (Kilakala) and other places were the first administrative and academic staff at Rugambwa, including Sr. Maryward (Catherine), Sr. Ann Bernadete, and Sr. Connie among others. These were reinforced by an equally strong team of academic staff including Miss Perry, Mrs. Welsh and Theresa Kaijage (later became Professor Theresa Kaijage at the University of Dar es Salaam) and together the team did a great job in shaping the academic excellence of the girls, their moral and disciplinary orientation as well as provided spiritual and ethical guidance to the young ladies (as they were often referred to by the sisters), many of whom continued schooling at tertiary level, thanks to the good foundation of the committed and loving staff.

The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has been praised for its commitment toward gender equality as reflected in the signing of the International Treaties and Conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW 179), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and others. Although there is limited action by the government in the domestication of the international treaties, it is strongly observed that there has been progressive steps toward institutionalizing gender equality especially in decision making posts where the fourth phase Government led by President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has given an exemplary lead to appointments in the government that takes into consideration gender balance. We are all aware of the gender sensitivity in the appointments of judges, cabinet ministers, heads of departments (directors) and heads of government agencies. Among these are first products of Rugambwa High school, thus underlining the significance of the visionary and preparatory work in providing a foundation for gender equality in the service of this nation by the late Cardinal Rugambwa.[2]

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[1] The name Bukoba used in this script covers a wider geographical  area than the present. Bukoba Dioses. For Example at one time it  covered the present districts of Bukoba rural and Urban, Misenyi,  Muleba, Karagwe and Ngara Districts.

[2] Among these are  Professor Anna Tibaijuka Retired UN Undersecretary and Head of the UN HABITAT program, now minister for Lands and Urban Development; Judge Regina Mutembei; Magdalena Rwebangira  a promininet

 lawyer and private advocate; Patricia Kakwezi Magogo retired  member of the cabinet secretariat; Magdalena Ngaiza Associate Professor UDSM; the author of this article Cecilia K. Rugimbana a well-known consultant 0n Gender and Development, Mrs  Generose Kamuzora a retired member  of the Planning Commission to mention but a few.

Memoirs of Cardinal Rugambwa:  His last Journeys to Europe and Bukoba

By

 

Fr. Stan Mutajwaha, PhD.

Catholic Diocese of Bukoba, Tanzania

(Writing from USA)

(1) Introduction:

 Dr. Deogratias Rweyongeza of Edmonton has created this blog to make it possible and easy for all of us to share our good memories of Cardinal Rugambwa.  I was privileged to accompany His Eminence on two of his last but significant journeys while still alive. The first was the journey from Africa to Europe the continent where in the year 1960 Rugambwa was elevated onto a unique pedestal as the first African Cardinal. The second was a shorter though not less important journey that took him from Dar es salaam to Bukoba the place of his birth, childhood and earlier ministry first as diocesan priest and later as a Bishop. Without a doubt the few words that I heard His Eminence say on these journeys and the things he did during those few days, roughly one year before his death cannot totally define the kind of person he was. Still, they could serve as indicators into the character and beliefs of the man whom we can all rightly feel very proud of acknowledging as our star.

The main reason for His Eminence’s last journey to Europe was to participate in the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Priestly Ordination of Pope John Paul II, November 1996, in Rome. The Holy Father had extended his invitation to all the priests from all over the world who were ordained in 1946, the year of his ordination and all the Cardinals - the Princes of the Church. Pope John Paul II wanted these to join him as he thanked God for his 50 years of the priesthood, which according to the title of the book he wrote to mark the event he regarded as “Gift and Mystery”.

(2) Aim and approach:  The aim of this account is to share my viewpoint of the greatness of Cardinal Rugambwa judging from the few but very enlightening occasions I was lucky to be close to him. In order to avoid making the reading too long and tedious, I shall be posting short paragraphs, once in a while. It is only at the end of my story that I shall highlight the inferences that the different incidents could lead us to draw, even from this tiny segment of a honorable life, for a larger and more comprehensive picture of the true legacy of our beloved Laurean Cardinal Rugambwa, who among the people in Bukoba went by the name Nyakutununta.

To be ontinued: The next Post will speak about His Eminence’s flight Dar es Salaam to Rome.

The Profile of Cardinal Rugambwa in USA

By

Deogratias Rweyongeza, PhD

Edmonton, Alberta, Canda

His Eminence Laurian Cardinal Rugambwa did not live at the time of the Internet, video cameras, digital cameras, television and twenty-four hour news in Tanzania of his times. Therefore, his actions and engagements overseas are hardly known to Tanzanians. The 1960s was the period of change whereby African countries were beginning to gain their independence from Europe and African Americans in the United States of America (USA) were struggling against institutional racial segregation and the right to vote. The elevation of Bishop Laurian Rugambwa to Cardinal was an important event to Bukoba, Tanganyika and the USA. For the people in Bukoba, elevation of Cardinal Rugambwa may have been seen as an affirmation of the right to self-governance at a much higher level in this strongly hierarchical society of Buhaya. For the country, his elevation may have been seen as yet another step towards independence and change from English to native rule even in religious matters. For African Americans, Cardinal Rugambwa meant hope for end of segregation and a better future.

In the 1960s, Cardinal Rugambwa visited the USA where he met different groups of Americans both religious and politicians. The African Americans, in particular, were very touched by the elevation of Cardinal Rugambwa as a black person and his presence in their midst. They followed his moves in the USA and other countries, quoted statements he made, and fundraised to help him build his Bukoba Diocese. For the African Americans, Cardinal Rugambwa was not just a Catholic priest who has been elevated to a higher order in the church hierarchy. He was a black African who has been entrusted with the higher office in the church previously reserved for the white priests. For African Americans, Cardinal Rugambwa symbolized the beginning of the end of racial segregation and discrimination in all matters of life, which they were struggling to achieve in the 1960s USA. It is this image of Cardinal Rugambwa as a sign of hope that prompted African Americans to publish many stories about his engagement events in the USA and Europe and show that a black person was as capable of leadership as white colleagues. Indeed, the early stories of the work and speeches of Cardinal Rugambwa are likely to be found in newspapers and magazines in the USA more than Tanzania where the media was still at its infancy and the population was still uneducated.

As we celebrate the 100^th birthday of Cardinal Rugambwa and prepare to bury him officially in the Bukoba Cathedral he built with the help of African Americans, we must remember that it is Cardinal Rugambwa who put Bukoba in the world map and world media. He was a man who journeyed from an unknown world on the shore of Lake Victoria to inspire hope across continents into the USA.