Area Sq. Kilometres 38,600 (14,909 Square Miles)
Population 594,000
No. Catholics 321,000
Historical Notes
Hence, Rev. Fr. Maurus Hartmann undertook the necessary steps to have it changed. On 10th July,1897 a Papal decree was issued incorporat- ing the South Western part of the Country into the Prefecture Apostolic of South Zanzibar.
Rev. Fr. Cassian Spiess played a very important role in establishing Peramiho Mission on 31st July, 1898 and then Kigonsera Mission in 1899. On 15th September,1902 the Prefecture Apos- tolic of South Zanzibar was raised to a Vicari- ate Apostolic. Unfortunately, this zealous priest was killed during the MajiMaji Resistance in
1905 together with the other missionaries; Per- amiho and Kigonsera Missions were destroyed. However, the Right Reverend Bishop Thomas Spreiter who became the new Vicar Apostolic reconstructed the two Missions.
On the 12th of November, 1913 the Prefecture Apostolic of Lindi was erected and Rev. Fr. Wil- libroad Lay was the first Prefect of Apostolic of Lindi. On 15th December, 1927 the ecclesiasti- cal jurisdiction of Lindi became “Abbatia Nul- lius de Lindi and on 15th February, 1928 Rev. Fr. Gallus Steiger became the First Abbot Nul- lius of Lindi”. The date 22nd December,1931 saw the creation of the Abbey Nullius of Ndan- da and Abbey Nullius of Peramiho that means Abbatia Nullius de Lindi was split into two Ab- bey Nullius, Abbot Gallus Steiger became Ab- bot-bishop of Abbey Nullius of Peramiho.
Thanks be to God that in 1943 there was the first ordination of two local priests, viz.Rev. Fr. Gervas Ntara and Rev. Fr. Simon Stock Kapin- ga, and on 23rd September,1953 Abbot-bishop Eberhard Spiess was nominated as the Abbot- bishop of the Abbey Nullius of Peramiho. And in 1962 Reverend Fr. James Komba was ap- pointed an Auxiliary bishop of Peramiho.
On 6th February,1969 the Apostolic Constitu- tion “Quod Santa “ raised the Abbey Nullius of Peramiho to the status of a diocese with its See at Songea. On 24th December,1986
Songea diocese was divided into Mbinga and Songea dioceses; The Rt.Rev. Bishop Emmanuel Mapunda being the first bishop of the new dio- cese of Mbinga and Bishop James J. Komba The Ordinary of Songea Diocese. The latter passed away on 1st February, 1992 and his place was taken by His Grace Archbishop Norbert W. Mtega who was appointed Archbishop of Son- gea on 6th July 1992and was installed in Songea on 20th September, 1992. On May 15, 2013 he retired and Bishop Tarcius Ngalalekumtwa was appointed Apostolic
Administrator of the Archdiocese of Songea till March 14, 2014 when Rt. Rev. Damian Denis Dallu Bishop of Geita Diocese was Appointed Archbishop of Songea. and installed on May 18, 2014
Ordinary
The Most Rev. Damian Denis Dallu, born at Kiponzelo, Iringa Diocese on the 26th of April 1955. Ordained Priest on the 15th November , 1984; Appointed Bishop of Geita 14th April,2000 and on 30th July 2000 was ordained Bishop . Appointed Archbishop of Songea on 14th March, 2014 and installed in Songea on 18th May, 2014
Address
Tel: +255 25260 2004
Mob. +255 75446 9372
+255 787469372
E-mail:dalludamian@yahoo.com
Archbishop’s House P.O.Box 152,
SONGEA/Tanzania
Tel: Private 025260 2004; General Line: 0252602364
Reception Mobile:0758163170
E-mail: archdiocesesongea@yahoo.com
Tel. 025-2602004
Fax: 025-2602593
General Line Tel/Fax 025 2602605
E Mail: songea-archdiocese@yahoo.com
Website:http:/www.ad-songea.org
Predecessors:
- Willibrord Lay, O.S.B. † (25 Nov 1913 Appointed - 1922 Resigned)
- Gallus (Bernhard) Steiger, O.S.B. † (22 Feb 1922 Appointed - 6 Dec 1952 Resigned)
- Eberhard (Hermann) Spiess, O.S.B. † (23 Sep 1953 Appointed - 6 Feb 1969 Resigned)
- James Joseph Komba † (6 Feb 1969 Appointed - 1 Feb 1992 Died)
- Norbert Wendelin Mtega (6 Jul 1992 Appointed - 15 May 2013 Resigned)
- Damian Denis Dallu (14 Mar 2014 Appointed - )