TANZANIA: Bishop Nyaisonga Challenges Politicians Who Try to Silence the Church’s Prophetic Voice
Rt Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga, Bishop of Mpanda Diocese
ishop of Mpanda Diocese Rt. Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga has urged politicians who are working on silencing Church leaders to denounce the evils in the nation, arguing that the clergy are simply fulfilling their prophetic role.
He said sometimes politicians are moved with greed for power, so when the clergy demand justice and good governance politicians try to silence them.
He said this recently during the Holy Mass for official opening of a house for the Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes who belong to the Community of St. Gertrud Imiliwaha – Njombe, at St. Benedikto Parish, Urwila-Mpanda Diocese.
Preaching in memory of Saint Leo the Great who was Pope in the fifth century, Bishop Nyaisonga said that the politicians of that time were forbidding bishops and priests from being critical to any evils that occur in society but St. Leo challenged them to let the clergy and the Church to freely do their prophetic work.
“This also happens in these our times, that there may be forces that prevent the Church from performing its prophetic mission. When the Church in any country accepts to be silenced by politicians, it leads to socio-ethical challenges. We should stand firm and promote good governance, morals, justice, accountability and respect for human dignity,” said Bishop Nyaisonga, who is also President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC).
Commenting on the opening of the Benedictine House, Bishop Nyaisonga urged the congregation to pray through St. Leo so that they may get the strength to evangelize with courage while reading the signs of the times, especially in these days where some scholars and politicians try to interfere with the Church’s mission.
“Today the Church has been in forefront of social welfare of the people through education and health services. However, there are obstacles, threats and political propaganda from some people who are saying that in our hospitals we do not treat people; in our schools we do not teach but rather preach our faith. This is a trick to discourage and silence the Church which evangelizes and stands for the integral development of a human being.
Welcoming 13 Sisters from of the community of St. Gertrud Imiliwaha – Njombe to evangelize in Mpanda Diocese, Bishop Nyaisonga encouraged them to work with the spirit of St. Leo who had strong faith.
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Sarah Pelaji
