Catholic Diocese of Ifakara is observing the Year of Catechesis for the Diocese which started on 19th March 2014 and will end on 19th March 2015 when they will be celebrating the 3rd Anniversary of the Diocese.
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St. Andrew's Cathedral Ifakara |
Speaking to AMECEA Online News in Nairobi Rt. Rev. Salutaris Melchior Libena, Bishop of Ifakara said that many issues, especially those related to catechesis arose during and after the Year of Faith, which was celebrated between 2012 and 2013. “There was a need to strengthen the catechism to our people so that even the faithful who studied catechesis long time ago, may have a chance of refreshing themselves during this year,” he said.
Bishop Libena said that the year of Catechesis basically entails intensive catechism throughout the diocese in various levels. “All Christians are encouraged to attend various sessions regardless of whether they have received the training on catechism before or not,” he said adding that “The sessions are carried out in the Small Christian Communities and other parish levels.”
“Our aim is that by the time we reach the third anniversary of the inauguration of our diocese, many of our Christians will have renewed their Catechesis which they learnt long time ago and will have developed a deeper understanding of the Sacraments,” the Bishop explained.
Apart from the emphasis on the year of Catechesis, Bishop Libena said that the diocese is now focusing more on education since the health sector is doing fairly well. “The diocese runs a big a referral hospital with a capacity of more than 370 beds and numerous dispensaries,” he said.
“As far as education is concerned, there are numerous primary schools run by the Church, however, the diocese only runs one secondary school and we feel that there is need to do more,” the Bishop added.
Erected on 14th January 2012 and inaugurated on 19th March 2012, the Catholic Diocese of Ifakara is the youngest Diocese of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC). Ifakara, the headquarter of Kilombero District is a rural market town in the Kilombero Valley, 420 km South East from Dar-es-Salaam.
The Diocese covers over 14,000 Square Kilometers and has a population of about 323,000 of which an estimated 85% are Roman Catholics.
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social Communications.
