Magufuli attends 1st mass in Chato, exhorts harmony

A CORRESPONDENT IN CHATO

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PRESIDENT John Magufuli joined believers at the Roman Catholic’s Virgin Mary Parish in his home village for his first mass since he was elected president last October at which he urged Tanzanians to continue praying for peace and harmony.

The congregation also included former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his wife, Mama Ida Odinga, and First Lady Janeth. The Kenyan visitors arrived here from Nairobi on Saturday. Dr Magufuli arrived at his Lubambangwe home in Mlimani village, Geita Region, last week for a retreat.

“I ask my fellow Tanzanians to preserve unity and putting God first at all times. Today, we are marking one week since in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ died because of our sins and we must follow his way by forgiving, loving, cooperating and avoiding segregating one another,” Dr Magufuli told the congregation.

Together with President Magufuli were First Lady Janeth, and Mr Odinga’s wife, Ida, who arrived here on Saturday from Nairobi.

In his greetings, Mr Odinga thanked Tanzanians for maintaining close and friendly relationships with Kenyans, recalling how the late Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, took a leading role in the struggle to liberate African countries, including Kenya.

“I also recall that Mwalimu Nyerere helped me to acquire a Tanzanian passport, which enabled me to pursue further education abroad for three years. The then colonial government in Kenya had refused to grant me the document,” Mr Odinga recalled.

Mr Odinga went on to reveal that his friendship with Dr Magufuli dated back to when the two were serving as Works Ministers in their respective countries.

“During that time, we used to meet with Dr Magufuli to share experiences in implementation of road construction projects. I urge East African countries to safeguard the cooperation, which was initiated by the founding fathers in the regional bloc,” he stated.

In another development, Dr Magufuli donated 10m/- to the Virgin Mary Parish to facilitate expansion of the church.

The donation was presented by State House’s Acting Comptroller, Ngusa Samike, during the second mass service. Dr Magufuli had pledged to support the church with the funding during the first mass service, which he had attended with his guests.

The Chief Priest at the Parish, Father Henry Mulinganisa, thanked President Magufuli for the contribution, noting that the church will later this year mark its 50th anniversary.

Father Mulinganisa said the church building is being expanded as part of the anniversary in which believers have contributed to the construction work.