The late bishop emeritus of Njombe Diocese Rt. Rev. Raymund Mwanyika was laid to rest on Tuesday this week at St Joseph Cathedral in Njombe in a funeral service that was also attended by 17 Catholic Bishops, The Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania Dr .Mohammed Gharib Bilal and Speaker of the Parliament Honorable Ms. Anne Makinda.
Preaching during the funeral Mass the president of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Rt. Rev. Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa referred the late Bishop as a man who laid his life for the sake of his people (the flock entrusted under his care). He said the late Bishop Mwanyika will be also remembered by TEC for the service he rendered to the conference. “He was a man of few words but more actions,” he said.
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Bishop Ngalalekumtwa who is also a bishop of the Diocese of Iringa and Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Songea said Christianity does not have any meaning if one does not lay down his/her life for others.
The TEC President said that Bishop Mwanyika had led the Catholic Diocese of Njombe for thirty- one (31) years and that during all these years he worked tirelessly for development and the salvation of the souls of the flocks entrusted under his care with great integrity.
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Speaking on behalf of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania in the funeral, The Vice President of Tanzania, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Gharib Bilal described the late Bishop Mwanyika as a good servant of God, who preached peace, love and unity to the people. He referred him as a man who gave his heart to serve all people regardless of their faith.
In her condolence message the Speaker of the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania and MP for Njombe South Ms Anna Makinda described the late Bishop Mwanyika as a humble man who workedwith all persons without discrimination.Madam speaker appealed to Njombe residents to follow his legacy especially that working together for the development of a nation.
The funeral ceremony was also attended by two Benedictine Abbots, Several Parties and Government officials, Priests, Religious Men and Women, and hundreds of lay faithful and people of good will.
Retired Bishop Mwanyika passed away on the morning of October 24, 2013 at the Bishop’s resident at the age of eighty-three (83) serving the diocese of Njombe for 31 year as the Local ordinary.
SOURCE: Communication Office TEC