BAGAMOYO, OCTOBER 26, 2018 (CISA)-Pope Francis has appointed John Cardinal Njue of Nairobi to represent him at the November 2 – 4 celebration of 150 years of evangelization in Tanzania.
The appointment from Vatican was confirmed by the Secretary General of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Fr Charles Kitima.
He also told journalists that the celebrations will be held in Bagamoyo where the Catholic Church built its first school, and will be attended by senior Government officials, religious leaders, and thousands of faithful.
The Chairman of the Committee of the Jubilee Bishop Euzebius Nzigilwa in the recent committee meeting insisted that Catholics in Tanzania continue with registration to participate in the celebration. Registration closes on October 30.
According to Fr. Charles Kitima, the preparation is in its final stages. The schedule of the three days includes the Opening Mass on November 2, where the Church in Tanzania will pray for the departed souls especially the souls of missionaries who brought the Gospel in Tanzania and Africa.
It is a day of commemoration and prayer for all the late missionaries who sacrificed their lives to announce and witness the Gospel in Tanzania and various parts East Africa.
He also said that November 3 is a special Mass of the Virgin Mary, Star of Evangelism in Tanzania while November 4 is the climax of 150th Jubilee of evangelization in Tanzania which will be celebrated under the theme: “150 Years of Evangelism; the joy of the Gospel.”
The Bishop of Geita Diocese Flavian Kassala also explained that November 3 will be a Day of Repentance and Internal Conversion, to thank God for his graces and blessings, to pray for God’s forgiveness and the forgiveness of one another, to ask for the blessings and graces to face the future with faith, hope and love, look at the opportunities, challenges and expectations of God’s people in Tanzania in the near future, guided by Saint Pope Paul VI’s Letter “Africae Terrarum” , published on October 29 ,1967.
