TANZANIA: Diocese of Zanzibar Celebrates 150 Years of Catholic Faith.
The Catholic Diocese
of Zanzibar will be celebrating 150 years of Catholic Faith, a celebration
which coincides with the closing of the year of Faith for the Tanzania
Episcopal Conference (TEC).
of Zanzibar will be celebrating 150 years of Catholic Faith, a celebration
which coincides with the closing of the year of Faith for the Tanzania
Episcopal Conference (TEC).
According to TEC
Secretary General Fr. Raymond Saba, the conference has organized a three-day
celebration (from 8th to 11th November, 2013) to be held
in Bagamoyo, Morogoro Diocese.
Secretary General Fr. Raymond Saba, the conference has organized a three-day
celebration (from 8th to 11th November, 2013) to be held
in Bagamoyo, Morogoro Diocese.
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| Fr. Raymond Saba |
Fr Saba said the
Island of Zanzibar was a stepping stone for the spreading Christianity in
Eastern and Central Africa. It was indeed through Zanzibar which has remained predominantly
Muslim that Christianity spread to the mainland Tanganyika, presently Tanzania.
Island of Zanzibar was a stepping stone for the spreading Christianity in
Eastern and Central Africa. It was indeed through Zanzibar which has remained predominantly
Muslim that Christianity spread to the mainland Tanganyika, presently Tanzania.
“In 1863, the
current Mission in Zanzibar was founded and it was from there that faith
crossed over to the mainland Tanganyika in 1868,” Fr. Raymond explained adding
that the Holy Ghost Missionaries (Spiritan Fathers) were the first, followed by
Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) and the Benedictine Fathers.
current Mission in Zanzibar was founded and it was from there that faith
crossed over to the mainland Tanganyika in 1868,” Fr. Raymond explained adding
that the Holy Ghost Missionaries (Spiritan Fathers) were the first, followed by
Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) and the Benedictine Fathers.
Speaking about
the choice of the place –Bagamoyo- Fr Saba said “Bagamoyo”has a unique history
for the Church in Tanzania. It wasthe first Mission that was founded and a gate
way of Christianity in the mainland. “We expect that all the Dioceses of TEC
will participate. These include all Bishops,Priests, the religious men and
women, representatives of the laity from all dioceses, and representatives of
youth and children will come for the celebrations,” he said.
the choice of the place –Bagamoyo- Fr Saba said “Bagamoyo”has a unique history
for the Church in Tanzania. It wasthe first Mission that was founded and a gate
way of Christianity in the mainland. “We expect that all the Dioceses of TEC
will participate. These include all Bishops,Priests, the religious men and
women, representatives of the laity from all dioceses, and representatives of
youth and children will come for the celebrations,” he said.
Day one of the celebrations
will begin with the Eucharistic Celebrations presided over by the president of
Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Rt. Rev. Tarsisius Ngalalekumtwa. This will be
followed by various presentations of papers regarding faith, sacraments, dialogue,
role of media in the Church, and challenges in evangelization etc.
will begin with the Eucharistic Celebrations presided over by the president of
Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Rt. Rev. Tarsisius Ngalalekumtwa. This will be
followed by various presentations of papers regarding faith, sacraments, dialogue,
role of media in the Church, and challenges in evangelization etc.
The activities for
the second day will include the celebration of the Holy Mass, focus group
discussions and more presentations on matters to do with faith; while on the
last day; Mass celebrations to mark the end of the occasion will be presided
over by H.E Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, the Archbishop of Dar-es-salaam.
the second day will include the celebration of the Holy Mass, focus group
discussions and more presentations on matters to do with faith; while on the
last day; Mass celebrations to mark the end of the occasion will be presided
over by H.E Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, the Archbishop of Dar-es-salaam.
Despite the fact
that the Church in the Island of Zanzibar will be marking 150 years; it is
facing a lot of challenges being a minority in a Muslim predominate region.
that the Church in the Island of Zanzibar will be marking 150 years; it is
facing a lot of challenges being a minority in a Muslim predominate region.
Last month a
Catholic Priest Fr Anselm Mwangamba was burnt by
acid as he became the third priest to be attacked in less than a year period
and the third incidence of crime against Catholic Church Priests in Zanzibar.
The first attack was on Christmas day of 2012, when Fr Ambrose Mkenda was
seriously wounded in an armed attack; While in February 2013, Fr. Evarist Mushi
was shot dead in Zanzibar City as he was heading for a Sunday Eucharistic
celebration.
Catholic Priest Fr Anselm Mwangamba was burnt by
acid as he became the third priest to be attacked in less than a year period
and the third incidence of crime against Catholic Church Priests in Zanzibar.
The first attack was on Christmas day of 2012, when Fr Ambrose Mkenda was
seriously wounded in an armed attack; While in February 2013, Fr. Evarist Mushi
was shot dead in Zanzibar City as he was heading for a Sunday Eucharistic
celebration.
Despite the
challenge, Fr. Raymond is optimistic that the Church will triumph because it is
through the blood of the martyrs that the Church was built.
challenge, Fr. Raymond is optimistic that the Church will triumph because it is
through the blood of the martyrs that the Church was built.
Source:
AMECEA Social Communications
AMECEA Social Communications
