Roman Catholic Diocese of Sumbawanga explained

Jurisdiction:	Diocese
Sumbawanga
Latin:	Dioecesis Sumbavangensis
Country:	Tanzania
Metropolitan:	Mbeya
Rite:	Latin Rite
Area Km2:	28,654
Population:	928,941
Population As Of:	2004
Catholics:	607,143
Catholics Percent:	65.4
Bishop:	Beatus Christian Urassa, ALCP/OSS
Emeritus Bishops:	Damian Kyaruzi

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sumbawanga (Latin: Dioecesis Sumbavangensis) is a diocese located in Sumbawanga in the ecclesiastical province of Mbeya in Tanzania.

History

1880: Established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Tanganyika from the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Africa in Sudan
May 10, 1946: Renamed as Apostolic Vicariate of Karema
March 25, 1953: Promoted as Diocese of Karema
October 24, 1969: Renamed as Diocese of Sumbawanga
December 21, 2018: Changed metropolia from Tabora to Mbeya

Vicars Apostolic of Tanganyika (Roman rite) -- see also separate article Apostolic Vicariate of Tanganyika
- Bishop Jean-Baptiste-Frézal Charbonnier, M. Afr. (1887.01.14 - 1888.03.1616)
- Bishop Léonce Bridoux, M. Afr. (1888.06.15 Jun 1888 - 1890.10.20)
- Bishop Adolphe Le Chaptois, M. Afr. (1891.06.19 - 1917.11.30)
- Bishop Joseph-Marie Birraux, M. Afr. (1920.04.22 - 1936.04.22), appointed Superior General of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers)
- Bishop Jan Cornelius van Sambeek, M. Afr. (1936.11.19 - 1947.05.10), appointed Vicar Apostolic of Kigoma
Vicar Apostolic of Karema (Roman rite)
- Bishop James Holmes-Siedle, M. Afr. (1946.07.29 – 1953.03.25 see below)
Bishops of Karema (Roman rite)
- Bishop James Holmes-Siedle, M. Afr. (see above 1953.03.25 – 1958.08.05), appointed Bishop of Kigoma
- Bishop Charles Msakila (1958.11.13 – 1969.10.24 see below)
Bishops of Sumbawanga (Roman rite)
- Bishop Charles Msakila (see above 1969.10.24 – 1994.02.23)
- Bishop Damian Kyaruzi (1997.04.21 - 2018.04.19)
- Bishop Beatus Christian Urassa (since 2018.04.19)