Author: MEDDY MULISA
AfricaPress-Tanzania: BUKOBA Catholic Bishop Deziderius Rwoma has paid tribute to the late retired president Benjamin Mkapa, describing him as a devout Christian, who has left behind a shining legacy.
He told worshipers who attended a memorial mass at the Mater Misericordia Cathedral in Bukoba Municipality on Monday that life on earth is short and should focus on heavenly vision.
“As we mourn the passing of our leader, we must join hands to pray to the Almighty God to forgive, erase his sins and receive him in heaven. We should emulate his example,” he said.
Bishop Rwoma commended Mr Mkapa for his efforts to transform the economy through the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).
Bukoba Auxiliary Bishop Methodius Kilaini, on the other hand, praised the late Mkapa for cementing the relationship between the church and the government.
“I was humbled to work closely with Mzee Mkapa, while I was Secretary General of Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC). He was very cooperative and did not hesitate when we (religious leaders) contacted him for any pressing issue. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Bukoba District Commissioner (DC), Deodatus Kinawiro, on behalf of the government assured religious leaders of the government commitment to enhance relations between the two sides.
He noted that the government cannot work in isolation in serving the people and praised churches for supporting government efforts in various key sectors including health, education and infrastructure development.
