Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa as Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand and Apostolic Delegate to the countries of the Pacific.
Archbishop Rugambwa was born in Bukoba, Tanzania in 1957, ordained a priest in 1986 and Archbishop in 2010.
He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1991 and has served in Nunciatures in Panama, Republic of Congo, Pakistan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Angola and Honduras.
For a period of time, he was also Under Secretary of the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
Archbishop Rugambwa has diplomatic experience in Panama, The Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Indonesia and he previously served as secretary to the Apostolic Nuncio in Wellington, New Zealand.
Archbishop Rugambwa has a degree in Canon Law.
He replaces the previous nuncio Archbishop Martin Krebs who last year was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Uruguay.
President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Bishop Patrick Dunn said of the announcement, “we’re delighted with the appointment of Archbishop Rugambwa and warmly welcome him back to our shores in his new role.
“Our prayers are with him as he prepares for his move and we look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”
Source
Supplied. Amanda Gregan New Zealand Catholic Bishop’s Conference.
Ko te Huinga Pīhopa o te Hāhi Katorika o Aotearoa
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