The Diocese of Tanga was established on 26 November 2000. It occupies an area of 25,310 sq km. It covers the whole of the Tanga Region and the South Eastern part of SAME in the Kilimanjaro Region.
The Diocese has 56 Parish Churches plus other smaller churches in every parish. There are 78 priests on duty and 23 retired priestswho help as the need arises. 234 Catechists assist in ministry to over 100,000 Anglican Christians.
Tanga Diocese and Zanzibar Diocese were formed in 2000 from the division of the Diocese of Zanzibar and Tanga which was itself established in 1892. Bishop Philip Baji was enthroned as the first Bishop of Tanga and remains in that position. Bishop John Ramadhani headed the newly formed Diocese of Zanzibar.
This creation of the two Dioceses was very necessary because Korogwe, which was the headquarters of the Diocese of Zanzibar and Tanga, was very far from Zanzibar and orders were to be taken from Korogwe. The Cathedral of the Diocese of Zanzibar and Tanga was at Zanzibar and so the Bishop had to move at times from Korogwe to Zanzibar.
A large area of the Tanga Diocese is sisal plantations especially in the Coastal area. The main occupations of people in the Diocese are fishing, growing maize, cassava, beans and, in higher areas such as Lushoto, vegetables and fruit are grown.
The Diocesan headquarters and cathedral are at Korogwe. The Cathedral Church is dedicated to St Michael and All Angels.
In addition to the spiritual concerns of the Diocese it is involved in Development work, Health Services and Education. Current programmes include:
Diocesan Integrated Agroforestry Programme:
Cattle rearing
Goat rearing
Fish farming
Rabbit keeping
Agroforestry
Pig keeping
This programme aims at increasing the income of the poor and at the same time enhancing the nutritional status. The animals are given on loan. Bread for the World support us in this work.
Nutrition Improvement Programme:
Inputs (Seeds) Loan
Oxen cultivation
Small loans to women
First Aid Posts
The aim is food sufficiency at all times. The sees are maize, beans and cassava cuttings. First Aid posts are set up to reduce the distances to health care since Health Centres are often far away from the villages. We were supported in this programme by the Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation - ICCO - of the Netherlands.
Voluntary Counselling and Testing for HIV/AIDS.
The diocese is involved in the running of hospitals :
- St Raphael's, Korogwe
- St Francis, Kwamkono Handeni
- Teule Hospital, Muheza, in cooperation with the Government.
- There is a Nursing Training School at Muheza and a Polio Hostel at Kwamkono Handeni.
For this work the diocese is given funds by USPG.
The Diocese also runs
- Hegongo Holy Cross Secondary School, Muheza
- Kwamkono Secondary School, Amani, Muheza.
- St Barnabas Bible School.