TANZANIA: European Governments, Catholic Relief Service pledge continued cooperation with Catholic Church and People of Tanzania
A section of European Governments including Italy, Germany, and Ireland together with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Caritas Arm, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have pledged continued collaboration and support to the Catholic Church and the people of Tanzania.
Speaking on the occasion of the celebrations of 150 Years of Catholic Evangelization in Tanzania Mainland, the Italian Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Roberto Mengoni, said that the Italian government recognizes and respects the work of many Italian Missionaries – priests and Nuns – who came to Tanzania in the last 150 years to spread the word of God.
H.E. Paul Sherlock-Irish Ambassador to Tanzania,
H.E. Roberto Mengoni-Italian Ambassador to Tanzania and
H.E. Dr. Detlef Wächter-the Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany to Tanzania
“We have a long history of relationship, which stretches to 150 years, it will continue; this collaboration has a bright future because the passion of Tanzanian people touches many hearts abroad. Therefore, this encounter between Europeans and Africans must continue to bring forth the desirable fruits for the next decades to come.”
His counterpart, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Tanzania H.E. Dr. Detlef Wächter explained that the Benedictines from Bavaria who came to Tanzania in 1886 and 1887 did not only evangelized the country; they also helped in eradicating slave trade and in promoting a new economic activity through working in agriculture education and health.
“In the case of the Benedictines Missionaries, after almost 135 years, the Church in Tanzania is still standing strong, improving people’s lives by providing quality education and health services,” Dr. Wächter pointed out, adding that “the German politics, the German policy, the cooperation with Tanzania still very much depends on the tradition of the early Benedictine Missionaries.”
He also indicated that together with other partners in Tanzania, they will continue working with Government to better the infrastructure in the country, especially the health facilities, saying that they are in the country to stay. “We offer you our partners and friends, the continued cooperation in the future. May the Catholic Church in Tanzania continue to grow and flourish.”
The Irish Ambassador to Tanzania H.E. Fionnuala Gilsenan who was also present at the celebrations in Bagamoyo said that Irish people and Tanzanian people have known each other for a very long time.
“It is true that the first Irish people to come to Tanzania were missionaries who, in addition to pastoral work, also focused on education, health and building relationship. Sometimes I ask myself ‘Why did they come, what was their motivation?’ Of course there was the sense of duty, of vocation and also of shared values between the Tanzanians and the Irish. These values which are rooted in the Catholic Church and in the faith are values of kindness and respect,” the ambassador explained adding that today Ireland welcomes missionaries from all over Africa to go and provide pastoral support to the Irish people.
“We in Ireland we are very proud of our Missionary history and the partnership which continues between the Irish people and Tanzanians, which has really grown from those very first Irish Nationals who came here. We still have Irish missionaries here in Tanzania and I would very much like to recognize them, to say thank you and to congratulate them for their contribution towards the growth of the Church in this country.”
Meanwhile, the CRS Country Representative to Tanzania, Mr. Brian Gleeson, explained that what inspired missionaries to come to mainland Tanzania a 150 years ago continues to motivate the Church today.
“First is the understanding that we are all part of one human family; and that we are all called to love our neighbour wherever he/she may be. We hear this in the Gospel, even today, as the Second Greatest Commandments,” Mr. Gleeson explained, adding that the Church is also motivated by a profound respect to the dignity of each person and their right to receive the Good News of Jesus in both Word and deed.
“In Deus Caritas es, Pope Benedict wrote that the Church’s deepest nature is expressed in her three-fold duty: to proclaim the word of God; to celebrate the Sacraments; and to exercise the ministry of charity. Charity calls us to action and to sacrifice in addition to proclaiming the word of God.”
Mr. Gleeson appreciated the Church in Tanzania for having indeed acted, saying that her works can be seen in many sectors most notably education, health and community development. Therefore, the Catholic Church in Tanzania has been, as Pope Francis describes it, offering comfort and hope to those who need it.
He said that CRS is honored to have been able to accompany the Church in Tanzania in the service to the poor and the vulnerable for more than 55 years. “From providing food and non-food emergency relief rations in 1962, to supporting care and treatment of persons living with HIV and Aids in the 1990s to Agriculture and Water Program in today’s society. CRS has supported the development programs in Tanzania, often in communion and partnership with the Church and Government and other local actors.”
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By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News
