Secretary-General of TEC, Fr. Dr. Charles Kitima, Calls for Unity Among Political Leaders

In a gesture of unity, the Secretary-General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Fr. Dr. Charles Kitima, brought together and introduced three prominent political leaders to the congregation. The leaders were CCM Secretary-General Emmanuel Nchimbi, CHADEMA Vice Chairman Tundu Lissu, and CHADEMA Secretary-General John Mnyika. During this introduction, Fr. Kitima took the opportunity to speak briefly about each individual, stressing the repeated message, "You are all brothers, live in love." He urged them to take the values of the Gospel and spread love within their respective political parties.

This event took place today, Sunday, September 15, 2024, at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam during the climax of the 5th National Eucharistic Congress. Thousands of Catholic faithful attended, led by the President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Bishop Wolfgang Pisa.

Fr. Kitima shared a personal anecdote, saying, "In 2017, I went to Nairobi to visit a patient from the Singida Diocese (Tundu Lissu) who had been shot for reasons we still do not know. I found him lying down and offered my condolences. He thanked me in Kinyaturu and asked how he could forgive someone he didn't know. In Kinyaturu, he told me, 'Father, God is present; I have witnessed His existence.' That's Lissu, and I won't give him the floor because I know politicians might start exchanging words right here."

He also noted, "Don't forget that Nchimbi studied with Father Urasa at Uru Seminary, so seminary morals should be taken into the political realm. Mnyika aspired to be like Father Ruwa'ichi and took quite a long time to get married—he married this year, can you believe it? He also studied at Maua Seminary, so the prayers of Saint Francis are within him. That's why even on that day in Mbeya when he was about to be beaten, he didn't fight back but said, 'They're killing me,' and was saved. You are all brothers, so take the values of the Gospel to the political parties."

The gathering emphasized the role of faith and the Church in promoting peace and reconciliation within society, calling upon leaders to lead by example in embodying the principles of love and unity in their political endeavors.