Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dar-es-Salaam (Fides Service) - The diocesan stage of the beatification process for Tanzian’s first president Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere was opened with a solemn Mass presided by Cardinal Polycarp Pengo Archbishop of Dar es Salaam on 21 January in the parish of Butiama, diocese of Musomo on the banks of Lake Victoria the birthplace of the “Father of the Nation”.
On 13 May 2005 the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome issued permission for Nyerere to be called “Servant of God”.
Julius Nyerere became the first prime minister of what was then Tanganyka in 1961 when the country became independent from British rule. In 1962, Nyerere was President of Tanganyka, which in 1964 joined with the Islands of Zanzibar and Pemba and took the name of United Republic of Tanzania. Nyerere became President of the new state, adopting social policies to promote agriculture and make the country self-supporting and less dependent on international aid. In the 1970s he promoted a concept of Ujamaa family solidarity which encouraged traditional life based on cooperation. The policy gave rise to discussion at home and abroad, but although on the one hand it did not lead to real development, on the other by calling the people to work for the good of the country it kept Tanzania peaceful and united.
In 1985, at the age of 63 Nyerere retired as President and in 1995 from political life. He died in 1999. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 1/2/2006 righe 22 parole 252)
