TANZANIA: Towards a General Election; TEC Evaluates the Current Situation in the Country

Few months before the General Election, the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC)
through Justice and Peace Commission and Catholic Professionals of Tanzania
(CPT) have evaluated the situation in the country and plan to issue a formal
statement.

 

The evaluation
was done recently during their conference held in Mbagala Spiritual Center Dar
es Salaam with delegates from different dioceses in the country. 

 

After seeing
what was going on in the country the delegates analyzed a number of things
including new constitution making process and election of Local Government which
was marred by so many challenges.

 

Speaking at
the conference, the Bishop of Bunda Diocese, Rt Rev Renatus Nkwande said, “It
is the duty of the Church to enhance peace in the country, we must show the proper
direction our country should take.” 

 

“There are
some indicators of infringement of Peace, like terrorism which is now growing
in the country, so we have a duty to inform our people about the real situation
to enable them make a right a decision,” he said.

 

The
delegates, also in their evaluation, noted the misusing of force/power by state
organs as witnessed in some places during the past elections which make people
to live in fear. 

 

The
Secretary for the Justice and Peace Commission, Rev Fr Vic Missiaen said,  the Church should not only end up praying for
peace, we have also to give light to the community to make them understand the reality
before they make decisions.” 

 

He said that
it is the duty of the Church to educate people especially young people who need
to change, make the right decisions towards for the benefits of the country.