AFRICA/TANZANIA - The vocation of women religious: to pray and work for peace in Africa and in the world

Tuesday, 15 October 2019

INTERNET

Dar es Salaam (Agenzia Fides) "The world needs leaders, men and women, peacemakers": said Archbishop Emeritus of the archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Francis of Assisi in Mahenge, in central-southern Tanzania. Addressing the sisters, the Cardinal recalled the example of St. Francis, humble and simple, urging them to "help redeem the world with prayers".
"We must do everything within our capacity so that God's peace reigns among his people. St. Francis preached peace and lived peace. Now it is up to you, Sisters, to pray and work for peace in Africa and in the world. We must be willing to sacrifice our lives for the security and peace of our nation and the whole world", said the Archbishop.
"If only among us there were some leaders who live and preach peace, the entire human race would have a better world. We can do it and achieve this goal with prayers, sisters, and this is your task", added Mgr. Gervas Nyaisonga, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Tanzania "You are a gift for the Church that must continue to grow. Your presence, wherever you are, enriches the community. Today the world needs humble and prudent servants, lovers of peace", underlined Mgr. Nyaisonga congratulating the sisters on behalf of the Bishops.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Francis of Assisi in Mahenge was founded in 1941 by Capuchin friar Edgar Aristides Maranta, in the archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. At the time, the area of Mahenge, which later became a diocese, was part of the archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. Initially, five girls joined the Congregation who made their first religious profession on January 1, 1944. The Congregation currently has 334 sisters. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 15/10/2019)


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