Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dar es Salaam (Fides Service)- “The news of the election of Pope Benedict XVI was welcomed with cheers and applause and the ringing of church bells all over the diocese of Mbulu” Fr. Reginald Barhe in Mbulu diocese in Tanzania told Fides. “Bishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi, apostolic administrator, led Vespers and prayers for the new Pope entrusting him to the intercession of Mary, Mother of God. Dozens of priests, nuns and seminarians and hundreds of people took part in Vespers in the cathedral singing heartily and entrusting Pope Jozef to Saint Joseph his patron saint and the patron of the Church.”
Following the death of Pope John Paul II for the official nine days of mourning in communion with the universal Church requiem masses were celebrated in parishes all over the dioceses.
For Catholics in Mbulu the new Pope is somehow familiar because he is Bavarian like the generous Bavarian Catholics who helped build their cathedral. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/4/2005 righe 17 parole 169)
