Pope meets bishops of Tanzania

April 07, 2014 - Pope Francis on Monday encouraged the missionary outreach of the Church of Tanzania through its pastoral programmes and charitable endeavours, particularly commending its care of HIV/AIDS sufferers, the poor and the marginalized of society. Meeting some 30 bishops of the country on their 5-yearly ‘ad limina’ visit to Rome, the Pope urged them to always maintain and foster the impressive missionary imperative that marked their past history in every sector of pastoral work - in parishes, in the liturgy, in the reception of the sacraments, the educational apostolate, health care initiatives, catechesis, and in the lives of ordinary Christians. This evangelization, he reminded them, happens above all through the compelling witness of words and integrity of life of those who have experienced Jesus Christ. With regard to the Church’s apostolate, Pope Francis particularly pointed to the care of those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and education towards sexual responsibility and chastity. He also thought of “all those who devote themselves to the integral development of the poor, and in particular, of destitute women and children.”
The Pope also spoke about the great need for holy, well-educated and zealous priests, and urged the Tanzanian bishops to make sure their priests receive an adequate human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation – not only in the seminary, but throughout their lives. This ongoing formation, he said, continues through daily conversion and growth in pastoral charity. The Holy Father underscored the need to provide men and women catechists with a comprehensive understanding of the Church’s doctrine. This will equip them not only to counter the challenges of superstition, aggressive sects and secularism, but even more importantly, to share the beauty and richness of the Catholic faith with others, particularly the young. With regard to the pastoral care of the family, the Pope urged the bishops to promote prayer, marital fidelity, monogamy, purity and humble service of one another, saying this will help contribute to social welfare and foster greater stability and progress in the nation.