TANZANIA: Bishop Kilaini Celebrates 50th Priestly Anniversary
Pascal Mwanache, TEC
Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bukoba, Rt. Rev. Method Kilaini, has celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the Priesthood, in celebration of the Holy Mass held at the Mater Misericordiae Cathedral, an occasion blessed by the message from the Holy Father Pope Francis who appreciated the services offered by Bishop Kilaini.
Pope Francis’ message to Bishop Kilaini has been read by the President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) who is also the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mbeya Rt. Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga:
“As you celebrate your golden jubilee since you were ordained to the sacred priesthood in your home Diocese Bukoba, you, our closest brother in sacred service, have unreservedly dedicated yourself to serving God as a priest and bishop. You have carried out this pastoral mission with great diligence as the faithful testify. We always pray for God’s protection and we wish you all the best and give you our apostolic blessings for all of that to continue the mission of redemption”
Along with the Pope’s greetings, Bishop Nyaisonga also conveyed the greetings of the The Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the evangelization of peoples Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who assured Bishop Kilaini of his prayers.
“He personally shares the same sentiments with the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy see in Tanzania and the entire Church of Tanzania, in a special way the faithful and the people of Bukoba Diocese, in congratulating Bishop Kilaini on his golden jubilee. He also recognizes and appreciates his Episcopal mission, and expresses his sincere gratitude to him for his services,” said Bishop Nyaisonga as he read the greetings.
Representing the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango has said that President Samia Suluhu Hassan congratulates Bishop Kilaini for his 50th jubilee of priesthood, and wishes him well as he continues to serve the Catholic Church and Tanzanians.
In addition, Dr. Mpango thanked Bishop Kilaini for his contribution to the Church and Tanzania community, saying that the government thanks him for being one of the founders of the Peace Committee of Religious leaders in 1994 which has strengthened harmony among believers of various religions and denominations in the country.
“You have been a great teacher to us believers through your brilliant writing and your eloquent teaching through various Church radio and television, you have broadened our understanding of our faith. We also thank you for your books that have continued to be used in our schools to provide community education for building good values for our youths. We thank you for your efforts to strengthen small Christian communities,” said Dr. Mpango.
Giving a word of thanks Bishop Kilaini said that when he celebrates the golden jubilee he has crossed many hurdles and finally been able to overcome them.
“Brothers and sisters, the priesthood is not something easy, this is what I can tell you when I celebrate 50 years. There are mountains, valleys, there are happy times, there are times of disgust, there are successes, there are failures, and many challenges. But I would like to assure you that the priesthood is a gift, it is a very good thing.
Many times, when I was on my way to the priesthood I had many temptations to leave, but the day I became a deacon I said I would be a priest. I have never regretted that I had become a priest. It has been a joy despite all the challenges I have gone through, I have not regretted a single day because the one who empowers me gives me strength. All I do is thanking God,” he said.
Bishop Kilaini was born on March 30, 1948 in the Kalema – Kashozi, in the family of Mzee Paulo Mutegeki of the Abaiyuzi clan and Mama Asteria Kokutona of the Abagiri clan.
In 1954 attended kindergarten in Bushaza before joining standard one in 1955 then Bushaza (now Katoma A) studied until standard four when he passed the exam and passed to Middle School Rugongo Katoma (now Katoma B).
In 1960 he joined the Bunena Preparatory seminary and was then in standard six. In 1961 he joined Rutabo junior Seminary where he studied standard seven before joining Rutabo Seminary in 1961 and later Rubya Seminary studied standard eight to twelve (1962-1966).
He joined Ntungamo Major Seminary for philosophy (1967-1968). From 1968 to 1972 he was sent to Rome at Urbaniana University. In 1970 he did an undergraduate exam (Baccalaureate = B.A).
He pursued his Second Degree in Theology (STL) in 1972. While continuing his studies in Rome at Urbaniana University, December 8, 1971 he was ordained a Deacons and on Saturday, March 18, 1972, the feast of St. Joseph, he was ordained a priest by His Eminence Agnelo Cardinal Rossi.
In the year 1972, on August 3, he was assigned to the first mission center in Mwemage parish. In 1973 he was assigned to teach religion studies, mathematics and history at Rubya Seminary and in 1974 he embarked on a mission in Rutabo Parish.
In 1985 -90 he joined Gregoriana University, earning a doctorate degree in Church History. In 1990 he was appointed to work in the Secretariat of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) where he began with the position of Executive Secretary of the Pastoral Department, then Secretary General.
In 2000 Pope John Paul II appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. On December 5, 2009, Pope Benedict XV transferred him to the Diocese of Bukoba.
