Bishop Mokiwa Caught Up in Financial Controversy

From Tanzania-

The Anglican Church of Tanzania's Bishop for Dar es Salaam Diocese, Dr Valentino Mokiwa, yesterday rejected a call to resign from his position over failure to assist a special committee investigating fraud and alleged abuse of office.

The church through a letter signed by Chief Bishop Jacob Chimeledya says Bishop Mokiwa was asked to step down after he had failed to assist in an investigation of fraud amounting to over Sh200 million in connection with a special account opened at the Dar es Salaam Commercial Bank (DCB).

The bishop is accused of failing to supervise church assets in collaboration with other church organs by allowing the leasing of 200 hectares of land in an allegedly shady contract.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201701090123.html

Don’t give up hope, archbishop tells Iringa residents

From Tanzania-


RETIRED Anglican Church Archbishop Donald Mtetemela ha
s urged Tanzanians not to be hopeless when they encounter challenges in their lives.

He made the call yesterday when launching Karadha loan scheme implemented by Mama Bahati Foundation in Iringa where he urged Tanzanians to tackle emerging challenges without fear.

He appealed to people to be innovative in order to realise their lifetime dreams, saying loans by the Bahati Foundation in collaboration with other organizations such as Swiss Contact, have to be used productively to combat poverty.

“The loans will only be beneficial if you will use them productively. I also urge you to be honest to your lenders and customers, especially to make timely repayment of the loans” he insisted.

More here-

http://dailynews.co.tz/index.php/home-news/46000-don-t-give-up-hope-archbishop-tells-iringa-residents

Tanzania: Arusha High Court Rejects Bishop's Appeal

From Tanzania-

The High Court has rejected the appeal lodged by Bishop Manaseh Martin and two pastors, Tito Tunda and Jarome Andrea, challenging their removal from their respective posts following a leadership crisis which engulfed Kanisa la Elim Pentecoste, Coast Region Diocese.

Judge John Ruhangisa reached into such a decision after upholding some grounds of objection presented by advocate Emanuel Makene, for Registered Trustees of the church, who had vehemently opposed to the hearing of the appeal.

"Since the appellant (Manaseh Martin, Tito Tunda and Jarome Andrea) advocate has conceded to the preliminary objection raised by the respondent (Registered Trustees of Kanisa la Elim Pentecoste), the appeal is hereby struck out accordingly," Prof. Ruhangisa ruled.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201603071073.html

Canadian Anglican Development Agency Begins Ambitious Maternal and Child Health Program

From All Africa-

The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is pleased to announce a new joint program with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD). PWRDF will contribute $2,654,612 over five years towards the $17,697,412 project that will focus on maternal and child health in 350 villages in Burundi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania.

"PWRDF is deeply satisfied that DFATD has approved an ambitious proposal to scale up the work we are presently doing with them in three countries--Burundi, Mozambique and Tanzania--and adding Rwanda. At the three-year mark in our current DFATD programs, we are seeing many of the five-year results we were aiming at, due to our partnership with strong local partner organizations who know their countries, their cultures and their people," said Adele Finney, Executive Director of PWRDF. "As we accompany partners, and they accompany vulnerable people making lasting changes in their communities, we see more mothers and babies living and thriving through pregnancy, childbirth and the first years of life. We see siblings, fathers and families growing their own food with confidence."
More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201507101474.html

Anglican Church blasts greedy presidential aspirants

From Tanzania-

A section of clerics of the Anglican Church in the country yesterday blasted greedy presidential aspirants, politicians and followers of the church, sounding out a strong warning that the church would never support those disobeying public order and legitimate election rules.

Speaking at the commemoration to mark 50 years anniversary of the Dar es Salaam Diocese of the Anglican Church in Tanzania, Bishop Valentino Mokiwa urged Tanzanians to respect and follow election rules and regulations.

He told journalists yesterday that members of the church and the public as well should be ambassadors of peace and they should convey this message to all, so that nothing unbecoming should happen at the polls.

He said that the church will not support those who plan to violate the forthcoming General Elections and the congregation must pray to ensure that every election procedures carried out as planned.

More here-

http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=81725

Tanzania: Islamic Persecutors Target Christian Pastors

From The Christian Broadcast Network-

For many years Christians in Tanzania have felt safe worshipping, given the country's Christian majorities.

Now, their security is quickly evaporating following a wave of persecution threatening churches and targeting pastors. Tanzanian churches are growing and witnessing a new unity, but Christians have paid a painful price.

Persecution of Pastors

Generosa Kachila told CBN News she burst into tears when her neighbor stormed in with the nightmarish news,"I shouted, my Jesus, my Jesus, why have you forsaken me?"

February 11, 2013, a Muslim mob brandishing machetes murdered Generosa's husband, Tanzania Assemblies of God Pastor Mathayo Kachila. The brutal attack occurred as the pastor walked to the home of a friend.

The motive? Anger grew after Christians began butchering and selling meat. The lucrative business traditionally belonged to Muslims, who prepare it in their religious way known as halal.

More here-

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/April/Tanzania-Islamic-Persecutors-Target-Christian-Pastors/

Tanzania bishops welcome Archbishop-elect Jacob Chimeledya

From ACNS-

Bishops from the Anglican Church of Tanzania (ACT) have welcomed and expressed their support for new Archbishop, Bishop of Mpwapwa Diocese Jacob Chimeledya.

Provincial Secretary of ACT, the Revd Canon Dr Dickson Chilongani reports: “After the election, all the 25 bishops present (except two who are studying in South Africa) expressed their support for Bishop Chimeledya’s election by signing a legal document to endorse the results.”

He added: “Some bishops have described Chimeledya as a humble servant and leader who will strengthen unity within the Anglican Church of Tanzania and enhance its mission.” Dr Chilongani said the Archbishop-elect takes over from Archbishop Valentino Mokiwa after his installation on May 19.

The new Primate previously worked as principal of St Philip’s Theological College, in the town of Kongwa in Tanzania. He also worked as a priest in various areas of the Diocese of Mpwapwa before becoming Bishop of Mpwapwa in 2007.

The election, which took place on Thursday February 21 at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Tanzania’s political capital Dodoma, was supervised by Chaplain of St. John’s University, the Rt Revd Francis Ntiruka and witnessed by Provincial Registrar, Professor John Kabudi and General Secretary, the Rev Canon Dr Dickson Chilongani.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2013/3/3/ACNS5332

Tanzania: New Archbishop Elected By Anglican Church of Tanzania

From All Africa-

The Church of the Province of Tanzania has elected Bishop of Mpwapwa Diocese in Tanzania, Jacob Chimeledya as its new Archbishop and Primate.

The announcement was made after elections held during an extra-ordinary meeting convened by the General Synod of the province on February 21.

"I am pleased to let you know that Jacob Chimeledya, the Bishop of Mpwapwa has been elected the Archbishop of Tanzania," said the Revd Agripa Ndatila. "I hope that you will pray for him so that God can be with him in this (new) responsibility that he has been called for."

The Most Revd Jacob Chimeledya takes over from the Most Revd Valentino Mokiwa who has been Archbishop since February 2008.

He will be installed in May this year at a service to be held at the Anglican Cathedral in Tanzanian capital Dodoma.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201302260257.html

Anglican Church of Tanzania to elect archbishop

From ACNS-

The Church of the Province of Tanzania has called on Christians world over to pray for the Province as it prepares for the election of an archbishop on Thursday February 21.

Current archbishop and Primate of the Pprovince, the Most Revd Valentino Mokiwa has served his first five-year term and he is still eligible for re-election.

Archbishop Mokiwa succeeded the Most Revd Donald Mtetemela who served two five-year terms. In a brief statement to the Anglican Communion News Service and other partners, Provincial Secretary for the Anglican Church of Tanzania, the Revd Canon Dickson Chilongani explained that, “according to our constitution, any bishop can be elected.” He added that he “values prayers for this important event in our Province.”

Archbishop Mokiwa was elected Archbishop of the Province in February 2008 during a special session of the Provinces’ General Synod in Tanzanian capital Dodoma.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2013/2/21/ACNS5323

Tanzanian archbishop shares insight on religious tolerance in ETX

From Texas-

Unexpectantly, in the Nacogdoches Episcopal Church office, the right reverend Dr. Valentine Mokiwa finds a connection to his home in Tanzania, Africa.

The SFA student's father is a priest in Kenya supervised by the archbishop's colleague.

"I live a very busy life style being bishop for the entire Tanzania, say 44 million, but 5 Anglicans, 27 bishops, and I have a diocese. Life tends to be very busy," said Dr. Mokiwa.

The archbishop studied in America and now comes here for rest, but he always takes time to promote his country and faith.

"Christianity is 45% and 33% is Muslim and the rest goes to other religions," said Dr. Mokiwa.
mokiwa says unlike many African countries, tolerance is important in the peaceful Tanzania.

"Forcing your faith is unbecoming. We encourage people to share faith, but we are not encouraging people to use force," said Dr. Mokiwa.

The archbishop takes interest in youth leader Rip Gibbs mission work in Tanzania.

Gibbs found the faith in Tanzania infectious.

More here-

http://www.ktre.com/story/17050092/tanzanian-archbishop-shares-insight-on-religious-tolerance

From Texas to Tanzania - Anglican Hospitals Link Up

From AllAfrica-

Senior management and medical officers from St. Luke's Episcopal Health System Houston and Baylor College of Medicine will visit the hospital of the Diocese of Morogoro in Berega at the end of February. This is the first step in a programme to develop links between Anglican hospitals in different parts of the world. These links are designed to provide conduits for the supply of medical equipment, provision of clinical training, and development in hospital management systems.

"The profile of Anglican hospitals is rising both within the church and amongst health policy makers", said Lee Hogan, co-chair of the Anglican Health Network and organiser of this trip. "Strengthening links between these hospitals will support our common mission to bring improved health care to those communities that Anglicans serve."

Following a trip to Berega in May 2011, Lee recruited officers from St. Luke's and Baylor who can provide key skills and experience to address priorities outlined by hospital director Isaac Mgego. At the top of the list is the development of maternal and newborn services. A high percentage of women in this rural district give birth at home without any medical supervision. Dr. Kjersti Aagaard, Professor of Fetal and Maternal Health at Baylor College of Medicine has extensive experience throughout Africa and will give attention to this challenge.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/201201201327.html

Church hosts African visitors

From California-

The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Corral de Tierra hosted the Rev. Emmanuel Bwatta and Zilpa Kisonzela from Tanzania and Jo Johnson, a student at California State University, Chico.

The three are part of a larger "Indaba" delegation. "Indaba" is a Zulu word that refers to gatherings whose purpose is to meet and address community problems, comparable to a town hall, only this hall is worldwide.

The Indaba Project is essentially a conversation among Anglican church members from three areas of the world where a multiplicity of issues contributes to divisiveness and misunderstanding. The issues include poverty, unequal resources, gender relations, technology and historical relations. It was begun in 2008 by Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves of El Camino Real (the local diocese); Bishop Sadock Makaya of Western Tanganyika, Tanzania; and Bishop Michael Parham of Gloucester, England.

More here-

http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20111118/OFFSIXTYEIGHT13/111180315

Muslims Seize Christian Burial Sites in Tanzania

From Tanzania-

Influential Muslims on this East African island have begun building what appears to be a hotel on a 100-year-old burial site owned by an Anglican church, Christian leaders said.

Church leaders with ownership papers for the land told Compass they are disturbed that authorities have taken no action since they filed a police complaint in December about the seizure of the burial site three kilometers (nearly two miles) from Zanzibar city’s airport. Tanzania’s Zanzibar archipelago, including the largest island of Zanzibar (officially known as Unguja), is 99.9 percent Muslim.

“We see that the government is partisan and would not like to see the church grow in Zanzibar,” the Rev. Canon Emmanuel John Masoud told Compass. “The retired Chief Justice Augustino Ramadani, who is a member of the Anglican church, was appointed to be a link between the church and the government to facilitate the negotiation process, but it seems that nothing is bearing fruits. Hence the church is not supported in any way.”

More here-

http://www.christianpost.com/news/muslims-seize-christian-burial-sites-in-tanzania-53153/

Area pastor heading to Tanzania to help kids

From Rochester NY-

Dahn Gandell believes in sustainable change.

The 45-year-old Perinton resident is practicing what she preaches as she embarks today for a two-week mission to Tanzania for Carpenter's Kids, a foundation run by the Episcopal Church that aids schoolchildren with supplies and other necessities.

"We need to do this," said Gandell, the rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Honeoye Falls. "The gratitude becomes contagious. And I can tell you this after going there, that this really changes lives. Tanzania is like the U.S. in the 1950s, really very conservative and soft-spoken. Until you can form relationships with people, you can't confront issues in a really honest and truthful way."

Gandell and her husband, David Gandell, sponsor 50 children in Kongogo, Tanzania. For $80 per year per child, they receive a school uniform, backpack, shoes, mosquito net, socks, one meal per day, health care and other necessities. Each person who signs up to sponsor a child makes a five-year commitment to see them through secondary school. The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester sponsors another group of 50 children, while 100 others are supported by people in the Rochester area.

More here-

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20110801/NEWS01/108010321

Bishop’s ‘eat their money’ challenge triggers uproar

From Tanzania-

Anglican Church of Tanzania Archbishop Valentino Mokiwa yesterday came under fire for encouraging the people to take the money offered by corrupt politicians, but refuse to vote them in the October 31 General Election.

The critics of the top church leader said in separate interviews in Dar es Salaam that the statement by the Most Rev Mokiwa last Sunday, was unfortunate, as if followed, it would defeat the whole purpose of the campaign against corruption, which clergymen should strongly support.

The Registrar of Political Parties, Mr John Tendwa, rejected the cleric’s advice, saying it amounted to legalising corruption. He denounced those expressing similar sentiments, accusing them of being “agents of corruption”.

Mr Tendwa was responding to a question from journalists in Dar es Salaam after he officiated at a one-day seminar for journalists organised by his office to discuss the Election Expenses Act.

CCM publicity secretary John Chiligati said the statement by Archbishop Mokiwa was uncalled, since corruption is a criminal offence under the Election Expenses Act.

“The archbishop is wrong on this one. We all know that giving people money during election campaigns is corruption and, therefore, a criminal offence. We want voters to elect leaders not through the influence of money but due to the good policies of their parties,” Mr Chiligati added.

He said the law must be effectively enforced “if we are to strengthen our democratic process”.

On Sunday, speaking at the launch of a health insurance programme for low-income earners in Dar es Salaam, Archbishop Mokiwa said it “is not sinful to receive money from foolish and corrupt politicians, who are hell-bent on winning elections by manipulating voters”. However, he urged those who receive such cash not vote for the corrupt politicians.

More here-

http://thecitizen.co.tz/component/content/article/37-tanzania-top-news-story/4567-bishops-eat-their-money-challenge-triggers-uproar.html

Suffolk teenagers on 'life-changing' Tanzania trip

From The BBC

A team of young Christians from Suffolk will head out to rural Tanzania next year for a 22 day visit.

Youth worker Adrian Wolton says it will be a 'life changing' journey for the 10 teenagers who are chosen to go.

"To see someone living in poverty all of a sudden puts into perspective our own lives and troubles," he said.

"It's not to diminish anything we go through or feel, but to give young people the chance to think 'actually my life isn't that bad'."

The group will visit the diocese of Kagera in August 2011, with young people from churches across Suffolk being asked to apply for a place on the trip by 22 September 2010.
Giving young people a world view

"We live quite a closeted life," said Adrian.

"We read the news and see the TV, but actually going somewhere, having the experience of cross-cultural mission and seeing how other people live will hopefully see young people changing their world-view.


More here-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/suffolk/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8852000/8852516.stm

New Bishop elected for the Diocese of Tarime

From Tanzania- ACNS

The General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Tanzania Dr Mwita Akiri (50) has been elected to be the first Bishop of the Diocese of Tarime (east of Lake Victoria and west of Serengeti National Park) within the Anglican Church of Tanzania.

The election was carried out by a special Electoral Synod which consisted of all clergy and lay representatives from 28 parishes in the new Diocese of Tarime numbering 79 in total, of which 77 delegates voted for Dr Akiri. The election took place on Thursday 8 April 2010 at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Tarime town and District, Mara Region. The election was chaired by Bishop Charles Ngusa of the Diocese of Shinyanga on behalf of the Archbishop of Tanzania. Also present was Rev Bethuel Mlula, the Acting Administrative Office of the Anglican Church of Tanzania Head Office in Dodoma who assisted Bishop Ngusa. The Anglican Diocese of Tarime has been carved from the Diocese of Mara.

Following his election, Dr Akiri will be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop on Sunday 4th July 2010 at St Luke’s Anglican Church in Tarime. Anyone who wish to congratulate Dr Akiri may do so through his own email address: akiri@anglican.or.tz, or by fax to +255 26 23 24 565.

Dr Mwita Akiri was born on 19th March 1960 at Kigunga Village in Rorya District in Mara Region. He did his secondary education at Nsumba Secondary School in Mwanza city south of Lake Victoria from 1976 to 1979. In a general government training allocation, he was offered a place to study accounts at Cooperative College in Shinyanga in 1980 but declined the offer. Instead he heard God’s calling and joined church ministry.

He first served as an evangelist before joining St Philip’s Theological College, Kongwa in Dodoma to train for ordination from 1982 to 1985. He was made Deacon in August 1985 in the Diocese of Victoria Nyanza and served at St John’s Cathedral Church in Musoma while also offering administrative assistance to the first Bishop of Mara. He was ordained Priest in December 1985 in the Diocese of Mara and became the Parish Priest of Mogabiri Parish outside Tarime town from 1985-1988.

More here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/digest/index.cfm/2010/4/16/New-Bishop-elected-for-the-Diocese-of-Tarime

Taiwan congregation's generosity builds churches in Philippines, Tanzania

From Episcopal Life Online-

When parishioners at St. James' Episcopal Church in Taichung, Taiwan heard about a group of Filipinos holding services under a mango tree, they were inspired to raise funds so that the community could worship in a building of its own.
That was in 1998 and the congregation's generosity saw the dedication of Christ the King in Sandeline, Diocese of the Central Philippines, the following year. But that was only the beginning. Eleven years later, St. James has funded the construction of 10 churches in the Philippines and one in Central Tanganyika, Tanzania.

The congregation at Christ the King are Igorot, an ethnic group from the Cordillera region on the Philippines island of Luzon that had moved from the mountainous provinces looking for land and work.

"The thought of that small Christian community worshiping week after week under a mango tree moved me to want to help them," said the Rev. Charles C. T. Chen, former rector of St. James' Church.

The congregation at St. James raised $6000 to build the church and a further $3,000 to connect a permanent water supply to serve the whole community.

Formerly a Spanish colony, the Philippines was predominantly Roman Catholic until Americans colonized the country in 1898 and Anglican missionary work began in the north and among Muslim populations in the south. Four Anglican dioceses were established by 1971 and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines became an autonomous province in 1990.

More here

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81799_113377_ENG_HTM.htm

Good Stuff in Canada

Unionville congregation builds bridges with Africa.

Anglican church's outreach to Tanzanian parish battles ideological split in communion.

The most precious gift Rev. Canon Philip Bristow ever received was three eggs and a handful of crushed nuts. The three other people he was with that day each got three eggs, as well, and one also got a hen.

"It was a widow's mite," Bristow says, thinking back to the day last August in Tanzania. "A dozen eggs and a hen was a fortune to that poor woman."

The gifts were thanks for the work done and the money raised by Bristow and his congregants at Unionville's St. Philip's On-the-Hill Anglican Church for the elderly woman's parish in the village of Lugala.

In three years, St. Philip's has raised $177,000, built a school, church halls, a hostel, a meeting centre, a rectory, dug three wells and bought bags of maize, AIDS medicines, mosquito nets and school uniforms.

More here -

http://www.thestar.com/living/article/530486