TANZANIA: Eighteen Dioceses in Tanzania Discuss ‘Fratelli Tutti’

Pascal Mwanache, TEC

About 18 Catholic Dioceses in Tanzania have participated in discussing and analyzing Fratelli tutti, the encyclical of Pope Francis on fraternity and social friendship.

Speaking during the opening of the first phase of training involving priests, Consecrated persons, and lay faithful from 18 dioceses, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Singida who is also the Chairman of Pastoral Committee of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Rt. Rev Edward Mapunda reminded everyone to unite with Pope Francis in promoting the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti message for the well-being of individuals, the community and the nations, so that together they can form one human family.

“Pope Francis, in his letter, emphasized the need for each one to live in harmony with brotherly love, humility and happiness, which, among other things, will enable us to recognize, value and love one another regardless of one’s physical or national of origin” He said.

He also urged everyone to sow seeds of peace in the positive context of spreading true friendships with the community, the environment, but especially to live in harmony as one family as one nation of God, in order to build unity of the church and community.

On his part, the facilitator from TEC Rev. Chrisantus Ndaga, said that Frattelli Tutti message had come at the right time, because the world at this time need more people to sit together discussing issues of common interests.

“For example, at a time when the world is witnessing the tremendous growth of technology but this is especially true in ‘social media’ rather than being a link between good relations, person to society and nation to nation, as a result it has turned out to be a source of divisiveness and relational divisions, a situation that leads to the loss of community life” he said.

The training, organized by the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), has for the first phase involved delegates from the Eastern, Western and Central Zones, while delegates from the remaining dioceses expected to attend the second phase.