He has a strong Ecumenical Spirit so much so that he is normally the leader of the ecumenical delegation to the government.

Date of birth: Polycarp Pengo was born on 5th August, 1944, in Mwazye Parish in the Diocese of Sumbawanga.

Primary Education: He did his lower primary school Std I - IV in his Mwazye 1953 - 1956

Preparatory Seminary: For Std. V-VI he went to the Preparatory Seminary of Karema 1957 - 1958

Junior Seminary: He finished his last two years of Primary school and did his secondary school at the junior seminary of Kaengesa 1959 - 1964.

Senior Seminary: At Kipalapala Major Seminary (Tabora) he did three years of philosophy (1965-67) and four years of theology (1968-71). He obtained a Diploma in Religious Studies from Makerere University in Uganda.

Priestly Ordination: He was ordained priest in his home parish, Mwazye on 20th June 1971.

Secretary of the Bishop: For two years he was secretary of Bishop Charles Msakila of the diocese of Sumbawanga (June 1971 - July 1973)

Advanced studies: In 1973 he was sent to Rome for further studies at the Pontifical Lateran University (Academia Alphonsiana), 1973 - 1977. He studied Moral theology and obtained his doctorate with honours (Summa Cum Laude)

Rector and Teacher: In 1977 he taught Moral Theology at Kipalapala Major Seminary. In December 1977 he was appointed the founding rector of Segerea Major Seminary (1977 - 1983) For 13 months he was preparing the place before the students reported in 1979

Bishop of Nachingwea: He was nominated bishop of Nachingwea on 11th November 1983, Consecrated on 6th January 1984 by Pope John Paul II in Rome and installed on 19th February 1984.

Bishop of Tunduru-Masasi: On 17th October, 1986, he was nominated to found the newly redefine diocese of Tunduru-Masasi, and installed on 12th February 1987.

Archbishop Coadjutor: He was nominated Archbishop coadjutor of Dar es Salaam with the right of succession on 22^nd January 1990 and he took office on 24^th may 1990.

Archbishop of Dar es Salaam: With the resignation of His Eminence Laurean Cardinal Rugambwa, he succeeded on 22^nd July 1992 as Archbishop of Dar es Salaam.

Cardinal: On 18^th January 1998 at 14.00hrs he is nominated Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He received his Cardinal’s hat from the hands of His holiness John Paul II on 21^st February 1998

He is now the Pro-Vice President of the Tanzania Episcopal conference, the patron of the newly founded catholic university of Tanzania "St. Augustine University of Tanzania. In practice he is the leader of the Catholic Church in Tanzania respected by one and by all.

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