Saturday, January 24, 2009

New Bishop of Tanzania


Bishop-elect Andrew Petro Gulle of East of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) is among more than 200 scholars who graduated at a colourful ceremony held by the ELCT Tumaini University- Makumira University College (MUCo) on November 15, 2008.

Thousands of people turned up for the 12th Graduation ceremony in which the ELCT Presiding Bishop, the Chancellor of Tumaini University, conferred degrees. Two students obtained PhD; 36 were bestowed Bachelor of Divinity in Theology; 53 students got Bachelor of Education with specialization in Languages; 93 students were awarded Laws Degree; 20 students including Rev. Gulle were awarded a Master of Theology Degree.

Rev. Gulle (45) has been a pastor in the East of Lake Victoria Diocese from May 26, 1996 having studied theology from 1991 -1995 at the then Makumira Lutheran Theological College. He re-joined MUCo for a Bachelor of Divinity from 2000 to 2004.

He served the Diocese in various capacities in Mwanza and Shinyanga Regions including being Parish Pastor in Imalaseko (Mwanza), Kahama, Mwadui (Shinyanga) and Sengerema (Mwanza) Parishes. He had been Bible knowledge teacher at Mwadui Lutheran Secondary School as well as being a coordinator of mission and training centres in the diocese.

Before his new position Rev. Gulle was Parish Pastor of Sengerema in Mwanza Region between July 15 and September 27, this year.

During the 10th General Assembly of the Diocese held in Bariadi, Shinyanga Region on 27th September, this year he was elected to lead the East of Lake Victoria Diocese to replace the late Bishop Nehemia Bomani who died last year. At the General Assembly of the Rev. Emmanuel Makala was elected Assistant to the Bishop