TANZANIA: Bishop Musomba Urges Catechists To Commit to Catechizing Learners at All Education Levels
Bishop Musomba and Catechesis Directors
Sarah Pelaji
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Dar es Salaam Catholic Archdiocese Rt. Rev. Stephano Musomba OSA has insisted at the General Meeting that brought together all the Catechists of the Dar es Salaam Catholic, that the Catechesis must be taught to every Catholic especially to children at home, primary, secondary schools, colleges and Universities.
“That is the reason the Catholic Church values Catechists as important pastoral agents whose role is to enrich the faith formation of children. Communicate by word and attitude that the parish community is in partnership with the family. Catechists affirm parents as vital and competent in nurturing their family’s spirituality,” he said.
Bishop Musomba wants Catechists to commit and devote themselves without being pushed by anyone in teaching religious education in schools. He said that there are some Catechists who are not responsible in their obligations until they are pushed by the parish priest. He has reminded the catechists that their mission is to catechize both by word and exemplary life.
Regarding the change in the education policy of religious studies in Tanzania, the Head of Catechesis Department at Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Fr. Liston Lukoo pointed out that changes in the teaching curriculum of Religious Education is one of the challenges in teaching-to-teaching Religious Studies in schools in Tanzania.
“The Conference will work on the issue to create a balanced environment that will give Catechists a chance to continue teaching religious and moral education in schools,” Fr Lukoo said.
Regarding teaching Bible Knowledge in schools, Father Lukoo said that, for Catechists who will be ready to teach Bible Knowledge in schools, the Department of Catechesis at the Conference is ready to give a seminar on the matter. Also, the department will connect them with specialists in teaching Bible Knowledge.
The meeting of Catechists of the Dar es Salaam Catholic Archdiocese is held every year to identify and discuss various challenges they face in their mission.
