Archdiocese of Mbeya

Catholic missionaries first arrived in the Mbeya region in the early 20th century, establishing missions that gradually developed into the Archdiocese we know today.

• 1932: The Tukuyu mission was founded as a “sui iuris” mission, initially under the Apostolic Vicariate of Tanganyika.
• 1938: Tukuyu was elevated to an Apostolic Prefecture, with Fr. Ludovico Haag, M. Afr., appointed as the first Prefect Apostolic.
• 1949: The Prefecture became an Apostolic Vicariate, led by Fr. Anthony van Oorschoot, M. Afr.
• 1953: The Vicariate was raised to the status of a Diocese, with Bishop Anthony van Oorschoot, M. Afr., serving as the first bishop.
• 2018: Pope Francis elevated the Diocese to an Archdiocese, appointing Bishop Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga as the first Metropolitan Archbishop.

Ecclesiastical Superiors of Tukuyu

• Fr. Max Theodor Franz Donders, M. Afr. (1932–1938)

Prefects Apostolic of Tukuyu

• Fr. Ludovico Haag, M. Afr. (1938–1947)
• Fr. Anthony van Oorschoot, M. Afr. (1947–1949)

Vicars Apostolic of Mbeya

• Bishop Anthony van Oorschoot, M. Afr. (1949–1953)

Bishops of Mbeya

• Bishop Anthony van Oorschoot, M. Afr. (1953–1964)
• Bishop James Dominic Sangu (1966–1996)
• Bishop Evaristo Marc Chengula, I.M.C. (1996–2018)

Archbishops of Mbeya

• Archbishop Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga (2018–present)

Auxiliary Bishop

• Bishop Godfrey Jackson Mwasekaga (since 9 March 2024)

Archbishop’s House
PO. Box 179 MBEYA
Tel: +255754684818
Email: bishopmby@yahoo.com
gnyaisonga@yahoo.com

archdioceseofmbeya.or.tz/