Intervention of Mons. Paul R. RUZOKA, Archbishop of Tabora (TANZANIA)

H. Exc. Mons. Paul R. RUZOKA, Archbishop of Tabora (TANZANIA)



Reconciliation is necessary in carrying out apostolate and drawing from the teaching of St. Paul, who points out that God is the starting point.

Given sad events like civil wars that are affecting the continent, the church's identity is o at stake. Very often we speak of a family that is loving, sharing and united in every day activities and living together. But more often sons and daughters of the church are equally involved in conflicts instead of building bridges among conflicting parties over vested interests.

The Church is instrumental in the healing mission of Christ; and all Christians should work to effect this.

Agents of evangelisation (Bishops, clergy and religious) together with the laity need to employ the arms of faith and seek a more profound conversion in pursuit for holiness through listening to the Word of God and frequenting sacraments; participating in prayer life and spiritual exercises; addressing questions posed by people we live with and sharing and serving them as neighbours.

Africa is engulfed in so many problems mainly due to bad leadership - by Leaders who are not God fearing, but who are rather all out to enrich themselves by looting their own countries, to the point of plunging their people into anarchy. Obviously, there have been good leaders who affirmed the aspirations of their citizens who cherished them. We have in mind people like Julius Nyerere of Tanzania whose legacy is a unified nation.

The church should help young people by reemphasizing the human, spiritual and intellectual formation particularly in our schools up to university level.

Faith has to take precedence in our formation work. Moreover, there is a need to form reconciliation committees to work together with justice and peace commission in our dioceses addressing issues of social conflict and offering civic education.