TANZANIA: Apostles of Jesus Launches Vice Province in Tanzania
The Apostles of Jesus Missionaries on August 22 launched a Vice Province of Tanzania at Tengeru, Arusha. This means that the Apostles of Jesus in Tanzania are in a transition period in the process to become a province governed by provincial superior who is a major superior of the institute acting under the institute’s Superior General and exercising a general supervision over all the members of the Apostles of Jesus Institute in that territory.
In his homily during the ceremony, Most Rev. Josephat Louise Lebulu, Archbishop Emeritus of Arusha advised that amidst challenges, the Apostles of Jesus and indeed all believers should surrender themselves before our Lord, he will purify them.
“We shall not succeed unless we leave ourselves to Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit to wash us up, to be pure, truly clean,” Archbishop Lebulu said.
Basing his homily on Isaiah, 9: 2, Hebrews 5, and Matthew, 29, the Archbishop emphasized on the hope for the Apostles of Jesus Missionaries, comparing them to the people of God, Israel, who walked in darkness but who were guaranteed great light, and a clear future.
He explained that he had been following the history of the Apostles of Jesus, and that something happened that caused tears, pains and fear, but God was promising salvation.
“The Apostles of Jesus in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and elsewhere in the world are being given a message of hope,” adding that he strongly recommends that “the Apostles of Jesus take seriously this development and look at the star that brings joy, namely, Jesus Christ who was prophesied as the Child that was to be born to bring hope to God’s people.”
The Decree of Erection which transforms the region of Tanzania’s Apostles of Jesus into a Vice-province was read by the Pontifical Commissary of the Apostles of Jesus, Rev Fr. Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, MCCJ.
“Having consulted the Holy See, through the Apostolic visitations report as part of the restructure of the institute, on August 22, 2019, Feast of the Queenship of Mary, the decision of the Pontifical Commissary with the consent of his assistance to erect the vice province of Tanzania comes into effect; up to now this has been a region,” Fr. Wokorach pronounced.
The leadership appointed to hold office until the first Provincial assembly in September 2019 include the Vice Provincial Superior, First councilor, Second councilor, all the three being members of the Congregation. The erection took place in the presence of the Assistant Pontifical Commissary Sr. Jacinta Auma Opondo, FSSA; Coordinator for Secretariat Commission Rev. Fr. Matela Mushi; and Regional Superior Kenya Region Rev. Fr. Aloysius Bukenya, AJ.
The Vatican through the Prefect in charge of Congregation for the Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, His Eminence Joao Braz Cardinal de Avis, ordered the suspension of the activities of the Congregation of Apostles of Jesus and appointed Rev. Fr. Raphael p’Omony Wokrach, a Comboni Missionary, to head the Pontifical inquiry, hence taking over all the duties of the leadership of the Congregation as he continues conducting further investigation.
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By AMECEA Online News Correspondents
