Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) intends to invite the Holy Father Pope Francis for the celebration of 150 anniversary celebrations of Christianity, which is schedule 2018 for the mainland.
Speaking to Kiongozi newspaper of TEC (a partner of AMECEA Online News) in Dar es Salaam, the TEC President, His Lordship Rev. Tarcisius Ngalalekumtwa said, "If things go well, there will be a possibility of inviting the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to visit Tanzania during the anniversary in 2018.
The president, who was in his way to Rome to attend the Synod on the Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and the World Today said that it will be a privilege for the country to celebrate the 150 anniversary of Christianity in the midst of the Holy Father. According to him, the celebration is the symbol of strong Faith that has lasted throughout all these years despite of the challenges that have been there. The 150 years of Christianity in the mainland Tanzania is marked from first Missionaries who arrived in Bagamoyo, which is in the eastern coastal area of Tanzania.
Commenting on the Papal visit to Kenya, Uganda (both of them AMECEA member countries), Bishop Ngalalekumtwa said that the Conference is still communicating with the host countries to make it possible for some of the Bishops from Tanzania to participate in this historical event.
Tanzania has Bishop Ngalalekumtwa and Rt Rev Renatus Nkwande, Bishop of Bunda as delegates to the Synod on the Family that is taking place in Rome from 4th to 25th October 2015.
By Sarah Pelaji, Kiongozi Newspaper, TEC -Dar es Salaam