AFRICA/TANZANIA - "Let us wait to have more information before speaking out about the attack in Arusha"

Dar es Salaam (Agenzia Fides) - "We need to have precise information before expressing ourselves about what happened, because the situation is very delicate," say to Fides Agency sources of the local Church from Tanzania, where on Sunday, May 5 a bombing at the inauguration ceremony of a Catholic parish in Arusha, at least two people were killed while dozens injured.
At the ceremony His Exc. Mgr. Francisco M. Padilla, Apostolic Nuncio to Tanzania was present, who was unhurt.
According to what was reported to Fides Agency, Mgr. Padilla is still in Arusha where he is meeting with the local clergy.
"It is true that in recent months we have witnessed incidents of violence with possible religious motivations, but at the moment until we have certain elements in this respect we cannot express ourselves in this sense" our sources say. "In general we can say that the local Muslim leadership is opposed to violence, and that those who commit the attacks are mostly extremist groups who come from outside of Tanzania." "To try to reduce religious tensions a meeting between Christian and Muslim religious leaders is planned" conclude our sources.
Local police said they have arrested 6 people, 4 of which are Saudi nationals, in connection with yesterday’s attack. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 06/05/2013)