BISHOP FILBERT FELICIAN MHASI'S SECOND VISIT TO LOUISVILLE

My fellow volunteer-missionary from the Archdiocese of Louisville, Father John Judie, who has volunteered in both Kenya and Tanzania since his retirement, not only helped me with my St. Veronica Church project in Kenya, but introduced me to the Bishop of Tunduru-Masasi of Tanzania. Father John Judie, represented me at the dedication of St. Veronica Church in Kenya and then left to go down to Tanzania where he does most of his work these days. 

On July 26, 2024, Father John Judie came to my condo to introduce Bishop Mhasi to me for the first time. 

 

On his second visit to Louisville, Father John Judie brought him to my condo for lunch on July 15, 2025. On July 18, 2025, I went to meet Bishop Mhasi at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (above) here in Louisville to interview him for this blog. On July 25, 2025, he came back to my condo to pick up a few things I sent back with him before he returned home to Tanzania. 

 

BISHOP FILBERT FELICIAN MHASI

By brief introduction, I am Bishop Filbert Felician Mhasi, from the Catholic diocese of TUNDURU-Masasi in the southern part of Tanzania. 

I was born on 30th November, 1973. I am the second from the last in the family of nine children; two sisters and seven brothers. I studied primary education in the government school, and then joined diocesan junior seminary for secondary education. After the completion of secondary education, I joined senior seminary for philosophy and then major seminary for Theology. I was ordained Priest on 3rd July, 2001. After doing my further studies, my Bishop at Mahenge diocese appointed me to work and teach in the diocesan junior seminary. Then, I was appointed to do pastoral work in the parish as a pastor.  

On 8th December, 2018, the Holy Father appointed me to be the Bishop of TUNDURU-Masasi. I was consecrated Bishop on 17th February, 2019. TUNDURU-Masasi (whereas 86% of the population are Muslims) is not my diocese of origin. My diocese of origin is Mahenge, whereas more than 87% of the population are Catholics! My pastoral work as a Bishop has not been easy, but with God's graces, we move forward. 

God Bless you! + Filbert F. Mhasi 

SOME PHOTOS FROM HIS DIOCESE IN TANZANIA

Lay people, Priests, Sisters and Seminarians

Bishop Filbert Mhasi at the door of his Cathedral. 

 

One of the Priests of the Diocese with some of the lay people. 

There are 22 Priests in the Diocese serving 22 Parishes and 140 Out Stations (Missions). 

Some of the Sisters attending the Bishop's Consecration and Installation - Teachers and Nurses

The Benedictine Sisters are teachers and the Sisters of Mary Immaculate are Hospital nurses.

Some of the Major Seminarians attending the Bishop's Consecration and Installation.

There are 16 Major Seminarians.

There are 169 Minor Seminarians

FACTS ABOUT BISHOP FIBERT MHASI AND HIS DIOCESE 

Bishop Mhasi will be 52 this coming November

86% of the people in his Diocese are of the Moslem faith.

Bishop Mhasi has to travel 3-1/2 hours to the airport to go to Metropolitan Bishops' Meetings and some parts of his Diocese. 

He travels a lot to do Confirmations in his own Diocese for his 22 parishes and 140 outstations. 

Most people in his Diocese are subsistence farmers and poor.

His biggest problems are financially based. 

The biggest blessing is the Catholic Church is growing in his Diocese.  

MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS LEARNED IN MY WORK IN THE MISSIONS

How good we have it and how convenient ordinary things are compared to much of the world! 

How hard it is for many Catholics even to get to church in other parts of the world. 

They often walk for miles to go to Mass and stay all day - no 50 minute service and leaving before Mass is over!