Renatus Leonard Nkwande
Renatus Leonard Nkwande, is a Tanzanian Catholic prelate who is the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mwanza in Tanzania, since 11 February 2019. Before that, between 27 November 2010 and 12 May 2019, he was bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bunda, Tanzania. He was appointed bishop by Pope Benedict XVI. He was consecrated bishop on 20 February 2011 and installed at Bunda. On 11 February 2019, Pope Francis transferred him to Mwanza and elevated him to archbishop over that Ecclesiastical Metropolitan Province. He was installed at Mwanza on 12 May 2019.
Background and education
Nkwande was born in Mantare, Tanzania, on 12 November 1965. He attended primary schools in Sumve, from 1974 until 1980. In 1981 he joined Saint Pius' Junior Seminary, where ghe completed his O-Level studies. He continued with his A-Level education at Saint Mary's Junior Seminary in Nyegezi, between 1984 and 1986. In 1987 he entered the Kibosho Major Seminary in the Diocese of Moshi, where he studied philosophy between 1987 until 1989. He studied theology at Saint Charles Lwanga Seminary in Dar-es-Salaam. He studied in Rome for a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University between 2002 and 2005.Priest
On 2 July 1995, he was ordained priest for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mwanza. He served as priest until 27 November 2010. While a priest, he served in various roles and locations including as:- Deputy Assistant Parish Priest in Magu Parish from 1995 until 1996.
- Rector of Saint Mary's Junior Seminary in Nyegezi from 1996 until 2002.
- Parish Priest in Ilemela Parish in 2002.
- Studies in Rome for a Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University from 2002 until 2005.
- Notary and Managing Director of Self-Reliance Projects from 2005 until 2007.
- Diocesan Treasurer of Mwanza Diocese from 2005 until 2007.
- Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mwanza from 2008 until 2009.
- Diocesan Administrator of the Mwanza Archdiocese from 2009 until 2010.