Damian Kyaruzi

Damian Kyaruzi (born 22 April 1940) is Tanzanian Roman Catholic prelate who was the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sumbawanga in Tanzania from 1997 until his age-related retirement in 2018. He was appointed bishop on 21 April 1997 by Pope John Paul II. He was consecrated and installed in Sumbawanga in June 1997. Pope Francis accepted his retirement on 19 April 2018 and appointed Bishop Beatus Christian Urassa, as his successor. Bishop Damian Kyaruzi lives on as Bishop Emeritus of Sumbawanga, Tanzania.

Early life and education He was born on 22 April 1940 at Butainamwa, Kagera Region, Tanzania. At that time, this was in the Apostolic Vicariate of Bukoba. He studied a Katigondo Major Seminary in Uganda. He also holds advanced degrees from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Italy.

Priest He was ordained a priest of Bukoba Diocese, Tanzania on 29 June 1968. He served in that capacity until 21 April 1997.

Bishop Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of Sumbawanga, Tanzania on 21 April 1997. He was consecrated and installed at Nelson Mandela Stadium, Sumbawanga, Diocese of Sumbawanga on 29 June 1997. The Principal Consecrator was Archbishop Mario Epifanio Abdallah Mgulunde, Archbishop of Tabora assisted by Archbishop Polycarp Pengo, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam and Bishop Nestorius Timanywa, Bishop of Bukoba.

Bishop Damian Kyaruzi retired on 19 April 2018, the day Bishop Beatus Christian Urassa, his successor at Sumbawanga was appointed. He now lives on as Bishop Emeritus of Sumbawanga, Tanzania.