TANZANIA: Bishop Rweyongeza Donates Mattresses to Prisoners As Lenten Journey Continues
Bishop of Kayanga Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Almachius Rweyongeza
Sarah Pelaji
The Bishop of Kayanga Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Almachius Rweyongeza has donated more than 100 mattresses as part of acts of compassion to the prisoners of Kayanga Prison, Karagwe Tanzania on March 11, 2024.
Handing over the donation, Bishop Rweyongeza said, “Love for prisoners is a sign of Christian charity and living the Love of Jesus Christ that he showed to mankind.
He insisted that the Church has the obligation to serve the prisoners spiritually and physically by sending them basic needs such as food and shelter and also to serve them spiritually by visiting them, praying with them and also sending them spiritual materials such as Bibles and the Holy Rosary.
Bishop Rweyongeza thus called on all people of good will to make good use of this Lenten fast by visiting and caring for prisoners who need spiritual and physical services the most.
Rt. Rev. Rweyongeza explained further that, all people of good will should remember that the conditions of prisons around the world are very bad. Prisoners need support both spiritual and physical.
Prisoners and even their staff, all together need to be accompanied by support, visited and talked to.
“It doesn’t matter for what reason they are prisoners; Jesus did not come for the healthy but for the sick so that they might repent. In that way, you and I have a real responsibility to visit them, to accompany them in their lives,” he narrated.
In the Lenten Season, all Catholics are reminded of the forty-day pilgrimage which is rooted in fasting, praying and acts of mercy for the needy.
“In fasting, we discover our weaknesses and have a heart of love, especially to be able to do acts of compassion for the needy. These are simple and important signs in our daily life and especially in the major periods that Mother Church gives us. These signs cannot be missed so be careful by listening to the cries, problems and concerns of others,” he insisted.
He further queried, “How many people are suffering in this world? How many centres are there for the needy starting with orphans, patients in hospitals, care centers for the elderly, disabled, blind and finally in all prisons, male and female? Jesus Himself said: ‘I was naked, you clothed me; I was sick and you came to see me; I was in prison and you came to visit me… ‘Mt 25, 36-40).”
On his part, the Officer in Charge for Kayanga Prison, Sergeant John Masalu, thanked the Diocese of Kanya for the donation saying that, they have had the challenge of accommodation for a long time and in that way he thanked Bishop Rweyongeza for showing a spirit of generosity and a spirit of self-sacrifice for prisoners.
