TANZANIA: Pope hails Tanzania for peaceful co-existence

The Roman Catholic Leader, Pope Benedict XVI has commended Tanzania for the unparalleled existing peace, tranquility and religious stability within the diversified religious affiliations.

A statement issued by the Directorate of Presidential Communications in Dar es Salaam on Thursday noted that the Pope also commended government leaders for having maintained peace in the past 50 years of independence.

It said further that the message was delivered through the Vatican Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania, Archbishop Joseph Chennoth, when he met with President Jakaya Kikwete at State House in Dar es Salaam.

The statement also noted that Archbishop Chennoth went to State House to bid farewell to President Kikwete, as his six years tenure in the country has come to an end. He is relocating to Japan on the same position.

The statement quoted the Archbishop as telling President Kikwete “The Pope has been wondering all the time over the secret behind Tanzania’s religious peace and tolerance. In fact he commends the leaders for being part of this.”

Speaking over the desirable relationship between religious leaders and the government, the Archbishop said “We are not opponents but rather, stakeholders in providing social services.”

President Kikwete on his part commended the existing good relationship with the Roman Catholic Church and urged government and religious leaders to sustain religious tolerance.

“It is our obligation as government and religious leaders to sustain the existing peace and tranquility,” he noted.

President Kikwete also used the opportunity to remind the Vatican the invitation he made to Pope during his visit to the Holy See in 2008.

“I invited him when we met in Vatican during my tour, following his invitation and thereafter, we met in Napoli. Catholics of this country are waiting and all Tanzanians cannot wait to see him,” President Kikwete said.