TANZANIA: Stop Power Struggles, Focus on Mission: Tanzanian Lay Council Leaders Told
Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Bishop Henry Mchamungu
Dalphina Rubyema
The Laity Council leaders at various levels of the Catholic Church in Tanzania have been reminded that their leadership roles exist to support Parish priests in driving parish missionary development, rather than to be activists or to engage in power struggles.
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Bishop Henry Mchamungu, reminded the lay council of this in his homily during a recent lay workshop held at the Christ the King Parish grounds in Tabata.
Bishop Mchamungu cautioned against underground campaigns for the upcoming Lay Council elections, urging the laity to choose leaders who will promote unity and work cooperatively with priests.
“This year and into next year, we have Lay Council elections. You must elect leaders who can work well with priests,” he said, adding, “Do not vote for people whose agenda is to fight parish priests. Lay leaders are not activists. If you choose fighters, the loss will be yours.”
The bishop expressed gratitude for the laity’s contributions to the Church’s growth, emphasizing that the Church is composed of two groups: those in Holy Orders and the laity, the largest group and one that bears significant responsibilities.
Bishop Mchamungu highlighted that one of the key responsibilities of lay faithful is to participate actively in the mission of the Church by witnessing Christ in their daily lives and promoting Christian values wherever they are.
He explained that the Second Vatican Council emphasized active lay participation, moving them from being merely ‘spectators’ to mission partners guided by justice, love, and generosity.
He outlined further responsibilities of the laity, including participating fully in sacramental and liturgical celebrations, serving in roles such as choir and lector ministries, and assisting with Mass coordination. Also, the laity are engaged in distributing Holy Communion for those duly authorized, such as catechists and religious.
The Bishop further urged believers to build stronger faith communities, teach catechism, help those in need, and promote fairness within society, especially in treating domestic workers with dignity.
“Do you treat the people who help you at home with justice?” he asked. “Do you see them as your children, or have you made them slaves? Do you overwork them while your own children relax watching television?”
Sanctifying the world through daily life
Bishop Mchamungu encouraged the laity to live their vocation in the world at workplaces, in public transport, and within their neighbourhoods by doing good and setting a Christian example.
Another key mission of the laity, he said, is to help transform the world by guiding others toward God through counsel and exemplary living.
Jubilee celebrations and special blessings
During the Mass, couples marking 25 and 50 years of marriage renewed their vows and received special jubilee certificates. This year, three couples celebrated their 50th anniversary, while ten couples marked their 25th anniversary. Furthermore, Believers celebrating 25, 50, and 75 years of life also received blessings.
