TANZANIA: TEC Celebrates the End of Year of Faith
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| From Left, Bishop Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa President of TEC, Archbishop Thadeus Ruwaichi of Mwanza and Archbishop Josephat Lebulu of Arusha |
The Tanzania
Episcopal Conference (TEC) celebrated the end of the “Year of Faith” in a
three-day event that took place from 7th to 10th
November, 2013 at Bagamoyo, the entry point of the first Missionaries to the
Main Land Tanzania from Zanzibar.
Episcopal Conference (TEC) celebrated the end of the “Year of Faith” in a
three-day event that took place from 7th to 10th
November, 2013 at Bagamoyo, the entry point of the first Missionaries to the
Main Land Tanzania from Zanzibar.
The event
started by the Eucharistic celebration which marked the opening of the event on
7thNovember followed by a PowerPoint presentation which captured the
historical narrative telling the beginning of the Catholic Church from Zanzibar
to Bagamoyo and eventually to the Main land Tanzania.
started by the Eucharistic celebration which marked the opening of the event on
7thNovember followed by a PowerPoint presentation which captured the
historical narrative telling the beginning of the Catholic Church from Zanzibar
to Bagamoyo and eventually to the Main land Tanzania.
Later on, each Bishop
present, planted a tree to commemorate the occasion and representing the 34
Dioceses of Tanzania.The
participants had a chance of visiting several places including historical
sites: The famous Cross which was
erected by the First Missionaries, the Mango Tree Drive which was planted in
1897, and the cemetery where the missionaries were buried.
present, planted a tree to commemorate the occasion and representing the 34
Dioceses of Tanzania.The
participants had a chance of visiting several places including historical
sites: The famous Cross which was
erected by the First Missionaries, the Mango Tree Drive which was planted in
1897, and the cemetery where the missionaries were buried.
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| From Left Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla, President of TEC Bishop Tarcisius and Fr. Paterni Mangi who was the master of ceremony. |
According to Fr.
Marandu Gallus, the TEC Pastoral Coordinator many of these Missionaries died
very young due to climatic reasons. “The youngest died at the age of 25 years
old,” he said.
Marandu Gallus, the TEC Pastoral Coordinator many of these Missionaries died
very young due to climatic reasons. “The youngest died at the age of 25 years
old,” he said.
Various topics
were covered during the workshop such as: the Door and Light of Faith which focused
on the Document of Pope Francis in the context of the history of Tanzania and
New Evangelization while also reflecting on the current situation of the Church
in Tanzania, including the challenges posed by religious extremism in the
context of the mission of the Church in Tanzania. Other topics discussed were
Pastoral challenges, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and Family life which were
taken in context of the Synod of New Evangelization.
were covered during the workshop such as: the Door and Light of Faith which focused
on the Document of Pope Francis in the context of the history of Tanzania and
New Evangelization while also reflecting on the current situation of the Church
in Tanzania, including the challenges posed by religious extremism in the
context of the mission of the Church in Tanzania. Other topics discussed were
Pastoral challenges, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and Family life which were
taken in context of the Synod of New Evangelization.
On the second
day of the celebrations, the participants were divided into focus discussion
Groups, which included the Bishops and the priests together, the religious men
and women (Priests excluded); the laity, the youth and the children.
day of the celebrations, the participants were divided into focus discussion
Groups, which included the Bishops and the priests together, the religious men
and women (Priests excluded); the laity, the youth and the children.
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| Bishops during the Procession of the Eucharistic Celebrations |
The participants
had a chance of receiving the Sacrament of reconciliation prior to the climax
of the celebration the third day. The Apostolic Nuncio of Tanzania Most Rev Francisco
Montecillo Padilla was the main celebrant of the day. During this homily the
Apostolic Nuncio expressed gratitude to the Missionaries for their selfless
dedication and sacrifice in bringing the light of Christ, the faith to Tanzania
through Bagamoyo.
had a chance of receiving the Sacrament of reconciliation prior to the climax
of the celebration the third day. The Apostolic Nuncio of Tanzania Most Rev Francisco
Montecillo Padilla was the main celebrant of the day. During this homily the
Apostolic Nuncio expressed gratitude to the Missionaries for their selfless
dedication and sacrifice in bringing the light of Christ, the faith to Tanzania
through Bagamoyo.
The Nuncio said
that “The Year of Faith” should make people discover and see the face of
Christ. “And when you see the face of Christ, then love is created in your
hearts and you are transformed to be promoters of love in today’s society,” he
said. He encouraged the participants to become light for others by promoting
the works of the person of Christ, the work of love, forgiveness,
reconciliation and peace.
that “The Year of Faith” should make people discover and see the face of
Christ. “And when you see the face of Christ, then love is created in your
hearts and you are transformed to be promoters of love in today’s society,” he
said. He encouraged the participants to become light for others by promoting
the works of the person of Christ, the work of love, forgiveness,
reconciliation and peace.
 |
| The Laity during Eucharistic Celebrations |
After the
Eucharistic celebrations the President of TEC, Rt. Rev. Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa,
the Bishop of Iringa and the Apostolic Administrator of Songea Archdiocese issued
a communiqué bearing the resolutions of the various groups participated in the
event.
Eucharistic celebrations the President of TEC, Rt. Rev. Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa,
the Bishop of Iringa and the Apostolic Administrator of Songea Archdiocese issued
a communiqué bearing the resolutions of the various groups participated in the
event.
His Eminence
Polycarp Cardinal Pengo then issued indulgences of the Year of Faith to those
who had been prepared.
Polycarp Cardinal Pengo then issued indulgences of the Year of Faith to those
who had been prepared.
Over 5000 people
from all over the country participated in the closing event of The Year of
Faith”.
from all over the country participated in the closing event of The Year of
Faith”.
Source:
AMECEA Social Communication and TEC
AMECEA Social Communication and TEC
