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| (L-R) H.E. Archbishop Francesco Pedilla, Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania, Rt. Rev. Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa, Bishop of Iringa and Chairman of TEC, Rev. Fr. Raymond Saba, Secretary General TEC |
The Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania His Excellency Francesco Padilla has reiterated the teaching of the Catholic Church that marriage can only be between a man and a woman, which opposes same-sex unions.
Speaking at the opening of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) Bishops’ Plenary Assembly in Dar e s salaam on Tuesday 23rd June 2015, Archbishop Padilla said, “We should stand firm with the teaching of the Catholic Church in order to build strong families.”
"The family is an important institution in the Church, so it should be known that marriage is between a husband and wife and not otherwise,” he said.
Archbishop Padilla also has noted that the failure to impart basic doctrines on marriage lead to polygamy, drug abuse and alcoholism which are among the major problems that affect families and therefore the faith of people in society.
He urged the Bishops to help the faithful to understand the real meaning of the Sacrament of Marriage. “Youth must be taught that the value of the Sacrament of Marriage is not on the celebration which, according to them, is an excuse for not accessing the Sacrament because of poverty,” he said.
Apostolic Nuncio asked the Church leaders to cooperate and be united especially when the government passes inappropriate policies that are opposed to the Christian values and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Furthermore, Archbishop Padilla urged priests to show good conduct and better example to the faithful and not become an obstacle in their faith.
"As priests; you should recognize your duty; discipline yourselves, otherwise, you will not be able to teach your faithful,” he said.
By Paschal Mwanache; Kiongozi Newspaper, TEC