Joseph Isangura
Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam for the Fifth National Eucharistic Congress.
During the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dr. Doto Biteko, delivered a message urging Tanzanians to embrace tolerance, mutual respect, and love in their daily lives. He emphasized the importance of these values, as taught in religious texts, to foster unity among the people.
Speaking to the congregation, Dr. Biteko stressed that differing opinions should not divide the nation but rather serve as a foundation for building understanding and solidarity. “We must teach our society to show mercy to everyone in need and to have compassion for our nation, Tanzania,” he stated. He also called on Tanzanians to participate actively in the upcoming local elections in November 2024, encouraging them to elect leaders who would work for the nation’s progress.
The congress, themed “Brotherhood Healing the World, You Are All Siblings,” aimed to promote social harmony, and it brought together religious and government leaders. The President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Bishop Wolfgang Pisa, spoke about the Eucharist’s role in fostering love, urging believers to approach the sacrament with a pure heart, free of prejudice. He highlighted that the Eucharist is a symbol of unity, transcending differences of race, ideology, and background.
The four-day event also marked the 50th anniversary of the Small Christian Communities in Tanzania, underscoring the importance of maintaining unity and commitment to spiritual growth. Bishop Pisa reiterated that the Eucharist symbolizes love and should serve as a reminder for all Christians to live peacefully and without discrimination.
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Attended by senior government officials and church leaders, including Archbishop Angelo Accattino, the Vatican’s Ambassador to Tanzania, the congress was praised for promoting religious freedom and peace. Archbishop Accattino lauded Tanzania for its peaceful coexistence and encouraged the faithful to continue being agents of love and unity in their communities.
The next Eucharistic Congress is scheduled to be held in 2028 in the Archdiocese of Arusha, further cementing the importance of unity and religious harmony globally.
