Hundreds of people from Kondoa diocese and outside gathered in Kondoa Parish premises to pray and witness the dedication of the Holy Spirit Cathedral, a ceremony that took place on 4 December 2014.
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| Vice President (in Black Suit) together with Bishops after the celebration of Holy Mass |
Speaking during Holy Mass H.E Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, the Achbishop of Dar es salaam who was the main celebrant, congratulated the faithful of Kondoa for building such a magnificent Cathedral.
Cardinal Pengo said that before the dedication of the Cathedral, the building could be changed for another use other than being a place for worship, but after the dedication the building is set specifically for this purpose- to be the House of God –House of Prayer. “Contrary to that is committing sacrilege,” he said.
Cardinal Pengo asked the faithful of Kondoa to equate the beauty of the Cathedral with their call to sanctity. “You are called to be salt and light of the society here in Kondoa; like the early Christians you should become the catalyst and bring holiness to your community, and be a model to the people around you,” he said adding that "Just as the early Christian who met at graveyards to pray, the places which were considered as unclean; these Christians sanctifiedthose places/environment whichothersfelt that they were unclean."
Also speaking at the event, Most Rev JudeThadeusRuwai’chi of theArchdiocese ofMwanza, on behalfof the President ofTanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Rt Rev Tarcisio Ngalalekumtwa, congratulatedthe faithfulof the Kondoatocommitting themselves to that noble work of the construction ofthe Holy spirit Cathedral. “May I ask you to keep it as the ‘House of God’ and a place of prayer,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the government, the Vice President of the United RepublicofTanzaniaDr.MohamedGharibBilal,hailedthe DioceseKondoa for the good work and provision ofbetterservices to the people of Tanzania. “The Catholic Church has beenat the forefront inproviding quality servicesinthe health sector, education, water and general social development of the people,” he said.
Dr Bilal strongly warned all those who want to breach peace in the country. “In the recent days there has been ‘red lights’ propelled by some people in the country,” he said adding that “ I want to assure you that the government will never allow any person or persons, for whatever reason, to violate the peaceful co-existence that has been there for years in the country.”
In his concluding remarks, the Bishop of Kondoa, Rt Rev Bernadini Mfumbusa commended the sacrifice of the faithfulof Kondoa, (both from within and outside the diocese) that enabled them to complete the construction of their Cathedral. Bishop Mfumbusa also extended his gratitude to partners, both international and local, who supported the initiatives of the faithful of Kondoa.
SOURCE: Fr Chrisantus Ndaga, AMECEA Social Communications