The Emeritus Bishop of Mbeya, James Sangu died on July 26 at 8.00 am in Mbeya. Bishop
Sangu died in the chapel of Bishop's Residence shortly before starting the celebration of Mass.
The funeral took place in Mbeya on 30th July 1998. It was attended by 15 Bishops, the prime
minister and thousands priests, religious and faithful. It started at the Cathedral with a three
kilometer procession to the shrine of Mary, Our Lady of Fatima.. The mass was celebrated bu
His Eminence Polycarp cardinal Pengo of Dar es Salaam, the homily by His Grace Nobert Mtega
of Songea and the funeral by His Grace Mario Mgulunde of Tabora.
Bishop Sangu was born on July 14, 1920 at Zimba Parish, Sumbawanga Diocese. He got his
primary education at Zimba Primary School in 1927 to 1931. Then he joined Ujiji Junior
Seminary for secondary education. Bishop Sangu Joined Kipalapala Senior Seminary in 1937 for
philosohical and theological studies and was ordained Priest on September 7, 1947. In 1949 to
1952 he studied Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Urbaniana in Rome. He did Pastoral
work as a Priest in Kate, Kirando and Zimba Parishes in Sumbawanga Diocese from 1947 to
1961 when he joined Catholic Secretariat as Executive Secretary to the Human development and
Laity department..
He was appointed as the Bishop of Mbeya on May 3, 1966 and was consecrated and installed as
the Bishop of Mbeya on September 11, 1966. He was a Chairman of the Human Development
and laity Department of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference from 1966 to 1970 when he was
elected its President for two terms till 1976. He was a member of the Permanent Council of the
Conference until 1991 heading as chairman the departments of CARITAS and Social
Communications respectively.
At different times, Bishop Sangu was a member of the executive or commission of AMECEA,
SECAM, Cor Unum, Caritas Internationalis and ICMC. He was also a Consultor of Propaganda
Fide, Vice President of Caritas Africa Region and President of World Apostolate of Fatima. He
resigned in July 1995 when he reached the age of 75 years.
May God rest him in His eternal peace. AMEN