Joseph Isangura
Tanzania’s Vice President, Emmanuel Nchimbi addressed hundreds of monks and faithful inside the Catholic Church of the Pilgrimage of the Virgin Mary in Pugu, Dar es Salaam, during the Requiem Mass for the late retired Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, Polycarp Cardinal Pengo.
The solemn ceremony gathered senior religious leaders, government officials, and devoted parishioners who came to honor Cardinal Pengo’s decades of spiritual service and his enduring influence on national harmony. The Cardinal, who led the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, was remembered as a unifying figure whose guidance extended beyond the church into broader society.
Standing at the center of the church, Dr. Nchimbi emphasized the importance of national unity and responsible service. “In serving our nation, we must not undermine each other. Every citizen should contribute wholeheartedly to the country,” he declared, calling for respect and collaboration across political lines.
He cautioned against partisan hostility, saying political competition should never devolve into personal attacks. “Political parties exist to strengthen governance and accountability under the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. Disagreements are natural, but insults weaken our nation,” he added.
The Vice President highlighted that multiparty democracy provides space for participation, debate, and oversight, reinforcing the principle that differing viewpoints should foster constructive dialogue rather than division. Tanzania’s multiparty political system allows citizens to engage fully in governance, he said, reminding everyone that respect and unity are central to lasting stability.
The Requiem Mass itself was a reflective occasion, blending solemn prayers and hymns that honored Cardinal Pengo’s lifelong message of moral integrity, peace, and national cohesion. Attendees noted that Dr. Nchimbi’s remarks complemented the Cardinal’s teachings, stressing that leadership must rise above personal and political rivalry for the greater good.
In addition to the Vice President, President Samia Suluhu Hassan joined the faithful at St. Joseph Cathedral where the late Cardinal’s body was laid in state before burial, demonstrating the high esteem in which he was held by both religious and political leaders. President Samia described Cardinal Pengo’s passing as a profound loss for the nation and praised his lifelong service to peace and unity.
Cardinal Pengo: Born on August 5, 1944, in Mwazye Village, Rukwa Region, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo was ordained a priest on June 20, 1971, after completing theological studies in Tanzania and advanced moral theology in Rome.
He served in various leadership roles including Bishop of Nachingwea and Bishop of Tunduru–Masasi before being appointed Archbishop of Dar es Salaam in 1992. In 1998, Pope John Paul II elevated him to the rank of cardinal making him the second Tanzanian to join the College of Cardinals.
He participated in two papal conclaves, in 2005 and 2013, that elected Popes Benedict XVI and Francis respectively. Cardinal Pengo retired in 2019 and continued to be a respected voice within the Church until his death on February 19, 2026, at the age of 81, while receiving treatment at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar es Salaam.
