TANZANIA: President Magufuli Mourns Death of Bishop Chengula

The President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. John Magufuli has said that in today’s world there are few leaders who can appear in public and confidently proclaim the truth like what the late Bishop Evaristo Chengula did.

Dr. Magufuli made the remarks during the farewell Mass held at the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) in Kurasini, Dar es Salaam on November 26, while giving his condolence to the Catholic church in Tanzania following the loss of one of the spiritual leaders “who always dared to speak the truth.”

“He has finished his work safely; he has proclaimed the Gospel; and he has always been honest. He did not hesitate to speak the truth. He recently appeared and opposed the acts of homosexuality that appears to be encroaching in our society. There are few leaders who can come out publicly and proclaim the truth of the Gospel as thelate Bishop Changula did,” President Magufuli said.

In his homily during the mass, Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dar es salaam Most Rev. Jude Thadeus Ruwaich said that every baptized person must live faithfully, witnessing Christ to others and to the world. He noted that the life of the late Bishop of Mbeya Diocese, Rt. Rev. Evaristo Chengula was characterized by honesty, happiness, courage and integrity.

“He was not afraid to speak the truth. God gave him the courage to bear witness to the Truth. We too must faithfully live according to our call of witnessing Christ as this is the responsibility of every baptized person, no matter who it is.” He added.

Burial Ceremony in Mbeya Diocese

The Minister of finance and Planning for the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Philip Mpango, who was present in Mbeya for the burial Ceremony said that it is the responsibility of religious leaders to denounce evil in society even when Government officials are failing to fulfil their duty to serve Tanzanians.

He stated this during the burial ceremony preceded by the Holy Mass held at Mwanjelwa Parish where he represented the President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr. John Magufuli.

“You the faithful of the Mbeya Catholic Church and all people around the region, God gave you a great gift. Your Bishop was a model leader. He led the people to God. He valued everybody and specifically those in need,” he said.

During homily, the Bishop of Mpanda Catholic Diocese who is also President of TEC, Rt. Rev Gervas Nyaisonga, said that God’s time is the right and perfect time and that the sadness of a Christian should not be that of despair.

“Our sadness has particles of happiness in it. The late Bishop Chengula had his vision statement which is ‘God’s my vision’. That was his dream, and meeting God is the fullness of his expectations. To achieve this goal, he did great things as we have just heard from his historical background,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the Conference (TEC), the TEC Vice-President and Bishop of the Geita Diocese Rt. Rev Flavian Kassala said that late Bishop Chengula has proved himself a father who served his people with a great heart full of love.

“We will remember him for his passion for vocations among the youth. He was able to bring back those who are gone astray. He was light for those who wished to enter into Sacrament of Matrimony. We are all witnesses to this today, “he said.

Appointment of Diocesan administrator

Following the death of Bishop Evaristo Chengula who died on November 21, Fr. Francis Magalla has been appointed Diocesan Administrator of Mbeya, in accordance with the Code of Canon Law. Archbishop Marek Solczynski, Holy Father’s Ambassador to Tanzania who also led the celebration of the Holy Mass, read the announcement during the same occasion.

The late Bishop Chengula has been buried at St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral, in Mbeya, November 27, 2018.

~End~

By Pascal Mwanache, TEC