TANZANIA: Church in Tanzania Vows to Protect Cultural and National Values
Consecration of the Auxiliary Bishop of the Mbeya Catholic Archdiocese Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mwasekaga
Pascal Mwanache-TEC
The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mbeya who is also the President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Most Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga says that the Catholic Church in Tanzania shall continue to have a sincere and strong position against acts of homosexuality which is a foreign culture that destroys the values of the nation, a statement supported by the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Kassim Majaliwa, who has asked religious leaders to nurture the consciences of young people in order to save the Nation from the extremes of moral erosion.
This was stated in the celebration of the Holy Mass for the consecration of the Auxiliary Bishop of the Mbeya Catholic Archdiocese Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mwasekaga along with the celebrations of jubilee of 125 years of Evangelization in the Diocese, a celebration held on May 26 at the grounds of the Sokoine Memorial-Mbeya presided over by the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo.
“We are very pleased with our nation’s stance against all acts of homosexuality and corruption. We ask our government to put more emphasis on rejecting that foreign culture. The Catholic Church in Tanzania has a sincere and strong position against these actions and trends,” said Archbishop Nyaisonga.
In addition, Archbishop Nyaisonga said that in the 125 years of evangelization in Mbeya, the Catholic Church has continued to grow in the number of believers, parishes, infrastructure, institutions and social services, and that despite the existence of many challenges that shook the Church and the Nation, the church within the diocese has continued to grow.
“Our jubilee is connected with the episcopate of our Auxiliary Bishop Rt. Rev. Godfrey Mwasekaga. He is our special gift for this jubilee. He has come to add strength to our service in the church” he said.
Representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the celebration, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said that the Government appreciates and recognizes the great work and responsibilities of religious leaders to guide people spiritually by teaching them, giving advice, and building them up in faith.
Speaking on the point made by Archbishop Nyaisonga regarding homosexuality, the Prime Minister reiterated asking the religious leaders to continue nurturing young people in order to have a nation with young people with good morals.
“The Archbishop has explained that the Catholic Church continues to condemn all evils, including those behaviors that violate our Tanzanian traditions, customs and culture. The government joins you in opposing all the evils that lead to violating Tanzanian traditions.”
Delivering a homily at the celebration, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo said that it is a great blessing to recognize the work started by missionaries 125 years ago and even to be given the gift of getting an auxiliary bishop, while asking every baptized to be an evangelizer.
“The church is not run by priests, bishops and catechists only. From the Second Vatican Council lay believers have a very important role. Christ’s command to go and preach to all nations is for everyone, starting with the Holy Father, Bishops, Priests and all lay believers. They all receive Christ’s order to go and announce the Good News, when we celebrate this jubilee let’s recognize that responsibility” he said.
On his part, the Nuncio to Tanzania Most Rev. Angelo Accatino presented congratulatory greetings from the Pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, His Eminence Lois Antonio Cardinal Tagle, who has said that he is asking the people of Mbeya to be witnesses and apostles of the good news.
“It is a great pleasure that I use this opportunity to join the Church in Tanzania, together with your fellow bishops, priests, religious and believers of the Archdiocese of Mbeya, to express my gratitude and good wishes for this important step in the history of 125 years of Evangelization in the Mbeya Diocese which is celebrated in parallel with the episcopal event for Auxiliary Bishop Godfrey Mwasekaga as auxiliary bishop of Mbeya. When we celebrate these great blessings of God, we must be witnesses and messengers of good news,” he said.
