Tanzania clerics use Easter sermons to denounce graft
- The Dar es Salaam arch-Bishop, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo
By Own Correspondent – Christian Church leaders from various dominions used the Easter prayers to call for more speeded up efforts against corruption. The faith leaders told thousands of their members in different churches across the East African country that Tanzania faces daunting challenges toward building a prosperous nation. The call has come amid on-going reforms within the ruling party, CCM, which has already given its top 3 cadres 90 days to quit their top positions or else face the music
The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Dr Valentino Mokiwa, said the country won’t escape unrest if the current disrespect to law and order persists. “When you see law and order collapse and national matters lack monitoring, there is bloodshed ahead of us,” he said. Most religious leaders also touched on the new constitution making advising many people to be involved and the needy for political resilience.
- President Jakaya Kikwete
The Dar es Salaam arch-Bishop, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo warned politicians who are corrupt but when criticized launch media propaganda against religious leaders. On his part President Jakaya Kikwete used a separate occasion, the Easter Gospel Music occasion to ask for religious tolerance in the country considered heaven of peace in Africa but marred with budding religious tensions between Muslims and Christians who are in almost equal numbers. “Let’s turn a blind eye to all those who want to divide Tanzanians on the basis of their religious dominions. We should strengthen our efforts,” said the President using the occasion also to assure his party supporters that the on-going reforms will not be culminated at offending anybody but to reclaim party status.
