Polycarp Pengo (born August 5, 1944) in the parish of Mwazye, Diocese of Sumbawanga in Tanzania, is the Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
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Ordained a priest in 1971, he studied Moral Theology in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University, obtaining a doctorate in 1977. He taught Moral theology in Kipalapala Theological Seminary for a short time, and then became the first Rector of Segerea Theological Seminary up to 1983.
He was made Bishop of Nachingwea in 1983, and of Tunduru-Masasi in 1986, assuming the post the following year.
In 1990 he was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, and in 1992 he became Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam, following the resignation of Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa.
Cardinal Pengo was proclaimed a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in the consistory of February 21, 1998. Pengo was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
He has the following Curial Memberships Evangelization of the Peoples, Doctrine of Faith (congregations). Interreligious Dialogue, Culture (councils) Special Council for Africa of the General of the Synod of Bishops.
In 2000, Cardinal Pengo hit out at homosexuality, saying it was one of the most heinous sins on earth.[1]
In 2004, he lashed out at the perpetrators of clashes claiming to pursue a religious cause.[2]
Cardinal Pengo has declared that while the AIDS epidemic cannot be overcome by relying exclusively or primarily on the distribution of prophylactics, only a strategy based on education to individual responsibility in the framework of a moral view of human sexuality.[3] See also Roman Catholic Church and AIDS.