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| From Left, Bishop Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa President of TEC, Archbishop Thadeus Ruwaichi of Mwanza and Archbishop Josephat Lebulu of Arusha |
The Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) celebrated the end of the “Year of Faith” in a three-day event that took place from 7th to 10thNovember, 2013 at Bagamoyo, the entry point of the first Missionaries to the Main Land Tanzania from Zanzibar.
The event started by the Eucharistic celebration which marked the opening of the event on 7thNovember followed by a PowerPoint presentation which captured the historical narrative telling the beginning of the Catholic Church from Zanzibar to Bagamoyo and eventually to the Main land Tanzania.
Later on, each Bishop present, planted a tree to commemorate the occasion and representing the 34 Dioceses of Tanzania.The participants had a chance of visiting several places including historical sites: The famous Cross which was erected by the First Missionaries, the Mango Tree Drive which was planted in 1897, and the cemetery where the missionaries were buried.
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| From Left Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla, President of TEC Bishop Tarcisius and Fr. Paterni Mangi who was the master of ceremony. |
According to Fr. Marandu Gallus, the TEC Pastoral Coordinator many of these Missionaries died very young due to climatic reasons. “The youngest died at the age of 25 years old,” he said.
Various topics were covered during the workshop such as: the Door and Light of Faith which focused on the Document of Pope Francis in the context of the history of Tanzania and New Evangelization while also reflecting on the current situation of the Church in Tanzania, including the challenges posed by religious extremism in the context of the mission of the Church in Tanzania. Other topics discussed were Pastoral challenges, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue and Family life which were taken in context of the Synod of New Evangelization.
On the second day of the celebrations, the participants were divided into focus discussion Groups, which included the Bishops and the priests together, the religious men and women (Priests excluded); the laity, the youth and the children.
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| Bishops during the Procession of the Eucharistic Celebrations |
The participants had a chance of receiving the Sacrament of reconciliation prior to the climax of the celebration the third day. The Apostolic Nuncio of Tanzania Most Rev Francisco Montecillo Padilla was the main celebrant of the day. During this homily the Apostolic Nuncio expressed gratitude to the Missionaries for their selfless dedication and sacrifice in bringing the light of Christ, the faith to Tanzania through Bagamoyo.
The Nuncio said that “The Year of Faith” should make people discover and see the face of Christ. “And when you see the face of Christ, then love is created in your hearts and you are transformed to be promoters of love in today’s society,” he said. He encouraged the participants to become light for others by promoting the works of the person of Christ, the work of love, forgiveness, reconciliation and peace.
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| The Laity during Eucharistic Celebrations |
After the Eucharistic celebrations the President of TEC, Rt. Rev. Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa, the Bishop of Iringa and the Apostolic Administrator of Songea Archdiocese issued a communiqué bearing the resolutions of the various groups participated in the event.
His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo then issued indulgences of the Year of Faith to those who had been prepared.
Over 5000 people from all over the country participated in the closing event of The Year of Faith”.
Source: AMECEA Social Communication and TEC