Bariadi, 09 January, 2026 / 8:51 pm (ACI Africa).
The Bishop-elect of the newly established Tanzania’s Catholic Diocese of Bariadi has reacted on his appointment, saying he was initially surprised by his selection to become its pioneer Local Ordinary, but has accepted it with faith and humility, trusting in God’s call to serve.
Speaking during the Thursday, January 8, Diaconate Ordination of 11 Deacons in the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha, where he has been serving as Auxiliary Bishop until his appointment, Bishop Prosper Baltazar Lyimo explained, “It was difficult, because I know that the mission of the Episcopacy is demanding.”
“I received this information from the Office of the Holy Father through the Office of the Apostolic Nuncio, and it came as a shock,” the Tanzanian Catholic Church leader, who began his Episcopal ministry in February 2015, said during the event that was held at St. Therese of the Child Jesus Cathedral.
He added, “After a moment of reflection, I accepted the appointment, knowing for certain that Almighty God, who created me in His image and likeness and called me to serve Him, will give me the strength and ability to continue with my mission wherever He wants me to serve and, in a special way, the Diocese of Bariadi.”
Bishop Lyimo expressed gratitude to the people of God in the Arusha Metropolitan See for their love, guidance, and cooperation during his pastoral service in the Archdiocese.
