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| Rt. Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga, Bishop of Mpanda |
Catholic Bishop of Mpanda Rt. Rev Gervas Nyaisonga has asked the youth to refrain from being influenced by politicians and modern trends that ruin their lives, leaving them to take responsibility for their actions.
Bishop Nyaisonga was speaking during Holy Mass to mark the opening of the Catholic Youth Conference held in Njombe diocese from 9 June 2015 and expected to end on Monday 15 June 2015. Also present during the opening mass was Rt. Rev. Desiderius Rwoma of Bukoba Diocese -the Chairman of Lay Apostolate and Rt. Rev Alfred Maluma-the hosting Bishop.
The conference which had the theme of “'Come to me, all you who labour and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28) and organized by Tanzania Episcopal Conference brought up about 1800 participants from all the dioceses of Tanzania.
He called on the youth to respect the dignity of life and avoid being misused by greedy people for their selfish gain. He asked them to avoid short-cuts in life which normally make them ruin their lives. Instead, he urged them to remain firm and capable of making responsible decisions, while establishing a close relation with Christ."Christ loves you and is ready to help carry your luggage if you are committed to him,” he said adding that they should use their intellect and will power to fight the challenges of life.
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| Group Photo of the clergy present during the opening Mass for the youth congress |
He warned them against corruption, drugs addiction, abortion or associate themselves with terrorists groups etc. “Know that these will not give you solutions to your challenges,” he said.
He called on the youth to be a manifestation and witness of God’s presence in the society. Bishop Nyaisonga urged them to participate in the coming general election as it is their duty. “Go and register as voters and know that your vote will make a difference by voting for good leaders; make sure that you use your democratic right by voting on the day of the election.”
Making his presentation, the Secretary General of TEC, Very Rev Fr Raymond Saba urged young people to remain strong and defend their faith. “if you are ignorant about faith, you cannot defend it,” he said.
Making his presentation, the Secretary General of TEC, Very Rev Fr Raymond Saba urged young people to remain strong and defend their faith. “if you are ignorant about faith, you cannot defend it,” he said.
By Sarah Pelaji, Kiongozi Newspaper TEC