DIOCESE OF VICTORIA NYANZA(DVN)

The Anglican Diocese of Victoria Nyanza, part of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, serves the regions around Lake Victoria, including Mwanza ,Geita and part of Simiyu. Here's an overview of its vision, mission, background, purpose, values, and organizational structure:

VISION

A sustainable Church working together effectively for the growth of God’s Kingdom through prayer, worship, preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and social services.

MISSION

To proclaim the Kingdom of God through spiritual and socio-economic transformation and empowerment of individuals and communities to experience the fullness of life in God.

Background

BIRTH OF THE DIOCESE OF VICTORIA NYANZA

The Diocese of Victoria Nyanza was officially established on March 13, 1963, when Assistant Bishop Wiggins was consecrated and enthroned at St. Paul’s Church, Kirumba, as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza. Bishop Wiggins assumed office during a time of significant political and spiritual transition..

The major changes of that year were related to both political and spiritual shifts.The second Bishop of DVN, who succeeded Wiggins on June 27, 1976, was John Oswald Rusibamayila. Bishop John Rusibamayila was born into a non-Christian family on June 27, 1926. His calling to greater ministry came in 1961 while he was the headteacher of Williamson Primary School in Mwadui, Shinyanga. Bishop Wiggins ordained him as a deacon on June 13, 1971, and six months later, on December 26, 1971, he was ordained as a priest.

Recognizing John’s leadership and service potential, Bishop Wiggins appointed him as his assistant in early 1973, and five months later, on June 17, 1973, consecrated him as Assistant Bishop of DVN. To further equip him, Wiggins sent John to England for Church Leadership studies from 1973 to 1975.

One of Bishop John’s major achievements was increasing the number of parishes from 27 to 53 and dividing the Diocese to create new ones:Kagera Diocese was officially formed on August 11, 1985, with Christopher Ruhuza as its first Bishop.

Mara Diocese was established on August 18, 1985, with GershonNyaronga as its first Bishop.

After the division, the remaining DVN area continued spreading the Gospel in the regions of Shinyanga, Mwanza, Geita, and Simiyu. Through the DVN Synod, Bishop John Rusibamayila moved the diocesan seat from St. Paul’s Church, Kirumba, to Nyamagana, after constructing a large church building – St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Bishop John passed away on May 16, 1991, and was buried inside St. Nicholas Cathedral, Nyamagana, on May 26, 1991.

On May 27, 1991, a day after Bishop John’s burial, the election of a new bishop was held. Rev. John Paul Changaye was elected as the Bishop-elect. He was born in Mkuzi, Muheza, Tanga, on July 31, 1942, and served from 1991 to 2006.Boniface Kwangu, the fourth bishop of DVN, was born in 1964 in Itabagumba, Sengerema, Mwanza, into the family of William Kwangu. He began his primary education at Itabagumba Primary School and completed his secondary education at Lake Secondary School, Mwanza. After completing Form Four, he joined Mkwawa Secondary School in Iringa for A-levels. Upon finishing Form Six, Boniface Kwangu enrolled at Mkwawa Teachers’ College in Iringa..

In 1995, Rev. Boniface was given an opportunity to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom. After completing his studies, he returned to his diocese and served God by overseeing the Christian Education Department in Schools. He was later appointed as one of the trainers at St. Philip’s College in Kongwa, Dodoma. After leaving Kongwa, he became a parish priest at Mwadui in the Diocese of Shinyanga.

In 2007, Rev. Boniface was elected as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza and was consecrated on November 18, 2007. After his consecration, the diocese flourished and experienced stability, which enabled the restoration of the Bishop’s Office, which at one point had been occupied by a private investor.Bishop Boniface was well received and accepted by people across the diocese as their leader. He continued to serve God faithfully, conducting pastoral visits throughout his diocese. He was also among the bishops who educated and mentored other church workers, and he maintained good relations with Isamilo International School, helping to secure the school’s boundaries and increase its student population.

However, during his leadership, conflicts arose again. This situation ultimately led Bishop Boniface, the fourth bishop, to retire on December 10, 2017.

BISHOP-ELECT ZEPHANIA AMOS NTUZA.

Zephania Amos Ntuza was born on June 30, 1966, in Nyasungwa Village, Sengerema District, Mwanza Region, as the third of five children in the family of Pastor Amos Ntuza. His father served as a pastor in the DVN during a time when the diocese covered the regions of Mara, Kagera, Mwanza, and Shinyanga. After Mara became a separate diocese, Zephania’s father remained in the Diocese of Mara.

Zephania began his primary education at Kiabakari Primary School in Musoma in 1978 and completed it in 1984. He joined Hegongo Secondary School in Muheza, Tanga, in 1985 and completed Form Four in 1988. In 1989, he enrolled at Butimba Teachers’ College to pursue Grade One Teaching Certificate, completing his studies in 1991.

Between 1999 and 2001, he returned to Butimba Teachers’ College to pursue a Diploma in Education while simultaneously completing Form Five and Form Six studies.

Zephania’s calling to serve God began early in life. As a young man, he served in various ministries, including singing in the choir and holding leadership roles in the youth department. Even after being employed by the government, he continued his church service as an elder at Christ the King Church in Geita. This ongoing ministry deepened his calling, which was recognized by church leaders, including the parish priest at Christ the King Church, who saw him fit for priesthood.

While still serving in the government, Zephania was ordained as a deacon on November 29, 2003, and later ordained as a priest on December 21, 2003, at St. Nicholas Cathedral by Bishop John Changaye, the third bishop of DVN. He continued to serve in various parishes including Mwembeni, Christ the King, Kasamwa, and Karumwa in Geita Region. Unexpectedly, he was also posted by the government to work in the region where he was born.

From 1991 to 2001, Zephania taught at Mbugani Primary School in Geita District, Mwanza Region (which later became part of Geita Region). From 2001 to 2005, he taught at Kalangalala Primary School in Geita. Between 2005 and 2015, he served as the Headmaster of Shantamine Secondary School in Geita Town, and from 2015 to April 15, 2021, he was the Headmaster of Kafita Secondary School in Nyang’wale District, Geita Region. In 2017, he was recognized as the Best Employee in Nyang’wale District.

From 2008 to 2011, Rev. ZephaniaNtuza pursued higher education at St. John’s University of Tanzania in Dodoma, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and Education.

He married Mary in 1996, and together they have been blessed with three children.

PURPOSE

To enable individuals and communities to experience life in its fullness through evangelism, worship, prayer, pastoral care, theological reflection, and social services.

CORE VALUES

Faith in Christ: Commitment to the teachings and lordship of Jesus Christ.

Love: Embracing the commandment to love one another.

Integrity: Upholding honesty and moral uprightness.

Honouring God: Living in a manner that glorifies God.

Professionalism: Approaching ministry and service with competence and excellence.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Diocese operates under the Episcopal polity, with the Archbishop of Tanzania serving as both Metropolitan and Primate.