TANZANIA: Another Catholic Cathedral Desecrated in Tanzania
Sarah Pelaji
The Cathedral St. Carol Lwanga of Kahama Diocese has been desecrated in May 11, 2023 around eight o’clock in the afternoon by unknown young man.
According to the information shared by Bishop’s Secretary of the Kahama Diocese Rev. Abraham Maziku, a young man aged between 22 and 23, who owns a small shop, during morning hours became violent at his home in Majengo area, pouring oil and drinks, claiming that they are not suitable for sale because they are demonic.
The police were called and they broke into his room and found him naked, dressed him and took him to the hospital.
While the efforts to treat him continued, he became violent and took off all his clothes and ran, while throwing stones at those who were chasing him. He jumped over the wall of the hospital fence and later appeared behind the fence wall of the Cathedral, and he climbed it and jumped inside. He then went to the main door of the church and did the damage – breaking the main door of the Church by pulling and kicking it.
The guards managed to catch him before he could do more harm.
The Curate of the St. Carol Lwanga Cathedral Rev. Innocent Villilo explained that the young man has mental problems and it is said that he has escaped from the Kahama District Hospital which is not far from the Cathedral.
It was eight o’clock in the afternoon when he arrived at the Church, he did not go through the Gate but jumped over the wall on the other side and then went to the Church.
He managed to break the Main Door of the Church. Luckily there were people around who helped to hold him.
The police were informed, they came to pick him up and take him to the hospital. He is still in the hospital.
“It is not clear what really confused him from his home until he reached that point. This advice is in the hands of the Police for further investigation.
Let’s thank God for saving us from a big disaster/damage that could have happened if it had not been controlled earlier.
Let us continue to pray for God’s protection and protection and strengthen the protection of our Parishes,” Fr. Maziku said.
The Bishop of the Kahama Diocese Rt. Rev. Christopher Ndizeye Nkoronko arrived in the incident and ordered security to be strengthened throughout the night until the repairs are done and even after that.
However, The Tanzanian Bishops visit the Vatican during alarming issues basing on the desecration of Several Catholic Church buildings in Tanzania including The Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace of Geita Catholic Diocese which was desecrated on 26th of February 2023.
In 3rd May the St. Patrick Parish in Zanzibar was also damaged by unknown person who broke the windows by a man who was held by police while they continue with investigation.
