TANZANIA: There will be No Tolerance to Priests on Issues of Child Sex Abuse – Cardinal Pengo
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| HE. Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam |
His Eminence Polycarp
Cardinal Pengo has warned Priests that there will be no Tolerance on issues of
Child Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Pengo has warned Priests that there will be no Tolerance on issues of
Child Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church.
Speaking in the island
of Mafia during the pilgrimage of Holy Childhood of the Archdiocese of Dar es
Salaam held in Mafia Parish, Cardinal Pengo, who is the archbishop of Dar es Salaam
said that the Catholic Church was merciful to so many transgressions of priests
but on Child sex abuse, the church will be intolerant.
of Mafia during the pilgrimage of Holy Childhood of the Archdiocese of Dar es
Salaam held in Mafia Parish, Cardinal Pengo, who is the archbishop of Dar es Salaam
said that the Catholic Church was merciful to so many transgressions of priests
but on Child sex abuse, the church will be intolerant.
He said children, since
their baptism, have received an indelible mark which is a symbol of witness to other
people.
their baptism, have received an indelible mark which is a symbol of witness to other
people.
Cardinal Pengo also
reiterated that the issue of Child sex abuse is not limited to clergy and
religious alone. “There have been so many unreported cases of child sex abuse
committed by parents or other family members; cases of defilement committed by
parents or grandparents,” he said adding that “These cases are concealed by society
as if they are ordinary conducts.”
reiterated that the issue of Child sex abuse is not limited to clergy and
religious alone. “There have been so many unreported cases of child sex abuse
committed by parents or other family members; cases of defilement committed by
parents or grandparents,” he said adding that “These cases are concealed by society
as if they are ordinary conducts.”
He said that all these
cases of Child sex abuse should be condemned and must be severely punished regardless
of who commits the offense.
cases of Child sex abuse should be condemned and must be severely punished regardless
of who commits the offense.
He asked the children to
build the missionary spirit and support church activities through prayers and
their contribution when needed.
build the missionary spirit and support church activities through prayers and
their contribution when needed.
The PMS children also
congratulated him for celebrating 70th birthday; 30 years of
Episcopate and prayed for his good health.
congratulated him for celebrating 70th birthday; 30 years of
Episcopate and prayed for his good health.
Cardinal Pengo said that
he was grateful to God for giving him another opportunity to meet them.
he was grateful to God for giving him another opportunity to meet them.
A total of 336 children
participated in the pilgrimage which started from October 2 to 6. 85 formators, 7 religious and 6 priests accompanied
the children in the pilgrimage. During
their pilgrimage children also organized fundraising activities from their
fellow children that aimed at collecting funds to build a shrine for pilgrimage
for children which will be the first one in Africa.
participated in the pilgrimage which started from October 2 to 6. 85 formators, 7 religious and 6 priests accompanied
the children in the pilgrimage. During
their pilgrimage children also organized fundraising activities from their
fellow children that aimed at collecting funds to build a shrine for pilgrimage
for children which will be the first one in Africa.
SOURCE:
Liberatha Ruhikula, Kiongozi Newspaper TEC Communications Department
Liberatha Ruhikula, Kiongozi Newspaper TEC Communications Department
