Govt, religious institutions deepen cooperation

TANGA: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has said the government will continue working with religious institutions in the country in carrying out their spiritual and social responsibilities for the welfare of Tanzanians.

Dr Nchemba made the remarks yesterday while representing President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan at a Holy Mass for the consecration of Canon Charles Mika Lundu as the first Bishop of the Handeni Diocese held at Christ the King Cathedral in Chanika, Tanga Region.

“It is the intention of the government led by Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, our President of the United Republic of Tanzania, to strengthen cooperation with various religious denominations in the country. The President has sent me to assure you that the government will continue to support our religious institutions,” he said.

Dr Nchemba said the government has taken various measures to strengthen the cooperation, including amending laws to facilitate religious institutions in obtaining charitable organisation status, addressing tax debts that had affected the institutions and granting tax exemptions on some services provided by religious institutions.

He said the government has also continued to work with religious institutions in covering part of the costs of some services they provide, stressing that the government’s doors remain open to religious institutions.

Dr Nchemba also urged parents and religious institutions to strengthen the upbringing of both girls and boys, saying all children face challenges that require cooperation among families, communities and religious institutions.

“The Church and parents should now put equal effort into raising both girls and boys because they are all at risk,” he said.

Dr Nchemba also commended Bishop Charles Mika Lundu on his consecration as the first Bishop of the Handeni Diocese, saying he believed the bishop would continue serving the Church and society with integrity.

He also urged religious leaders to continue praying for Tanzania so that peace, stability, solidarity and unity continue to prevail.

Meanwhile, Dr Nchemba was formally installed as a Lay Canon of the Anglican Church of Tanzania during the service held at the same church.

The Prime Minister was awarded the title of Lay Canon by the Anglican Church of Tanzania, under Archbishop Dr Maimbo Mndolwa, on June 21 this year during a fundraising event to complete the construction of the Anglican Church of Tanzania’s investment building project.

The event was held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in the Diocese of Dodoma.

The Anglican Church of Tanzania awarded the Premier the title in recognition of his contribution to mobilising and facilitating fundraising for various development and investment projects of the Church since he served in various government and social positions.

Being awarded the title and subsequently being formally installed yesterday during a service led by the Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Tanzania, Dr Maimbo Mndolwa, made Dr Nchemba one of several government leaders who have previously held the position and the first Lay Canon from outside the Anglican denomination.

Other leaders who have previously been awarded the title of Lay Canon include former Speaker, the late Job Ndugai, retired Chief Justice, the late Augustino Ramadhani and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office- Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities Prof Palamagamba Kabudi.

Others are the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Baraka Leonard, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Gerald Mweli.

According to Anglican Church procedures, a Lay Canon is an honorary title in the Church, with responsibilities including providing advice and serving as a guardian to the Church’s senior leadership.