Clergy, Religious, Seminarians Cautioned against Partisan Politics Ahead of Tanzania’s October 29 General Elections

Lindi, 28 September, 2025 / 11:20 PM

The Clergy, members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL), and Seminarians in Tanzania have been cautioned against engaging in political campaigns ahead of the country’s general election scheduled for October 29.

In his homily during Holy Mass to mark the Centenary Jubilee of St. Paul the Apostle Major Seminary, Kipalapala, the President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Bishop Wolfgang Pisa said that rising above partisan politics on the part of the Clergy, women and men Religious and Seminarians safeguards their ministry and apostolate among the people of God.

“Let me remind you in simple terms that this is an election year. The laws of the Church are clear: Priests, Religious, and any Church leaders must not participate in political campaigns,” said Bishop Pisa during the Thursday, September 25 event at the Major Seminary grounds in the Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora.

The Local Ordinary of Lindi Catholic Diocese in Tanzania emphasized, “It is forbidden for Priests, forbidden for Religious, and forbidden for Seminarians to be seen at political rallies. It is a grave offense."

He went on to underscore the need to refrain from wearing items that identify with or display political symbols, saying, “It is also prohibited for Seminarians to wear t-shirts or caps of any political party, whether during sports or even while sleeping, even if the candidate is your brother.”

The Tanzania-born member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (O.F.M. Cap.) also warned Church leaders and those in formation against deceptive politicians who exploit Church spaces for their own selfish political interests.

He said, "When politicians come to Church houses or Convents to manipulate and entice, that is a sin; it should not happen." 

“No one should trick another person into something they do not understand; you take a novice, or a member of the Clergy who does not even listen to news on the radio, and then you indoctrinate him; that is a sin and a serious offense,” Bishop Pisa said, referring to politicians who take advantage of Church spaces for political gain.

In his September 25 homily, the Local Ordinary of Lindi Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in June 2022 encouraged the electorate in Tanzania to exercise their right to vote responsibly and with a clear conscience.

He said, “The day of campaigning is known, and the voting day is known; if you are a supporter, then cast your vote on that day. But remember this: before you go, examine your conscience.”

On examining the conscience, Bishop Pisa said, “First, have enough knowledge of what you are about to do. Listen to your conscience and ask yourself, ‘In this matter, what is true, and what is just?’”

He emphasized the importance of prayer and the Word of God as means for keeping one’s conscience clear and upright ahead of making a decision, especially during critical moments such as general elections.

He appealed, “Read the Word of God for guidance, review the Commandments of God, and pray over it. Examine your conscience before making your decision.”

The Tanzanian Catholic Church leader reflected on the significance of St. Paul’s Major Seminary centenary Jubilee, describing it as “a year of seeking reconciliation and God’s mercy.”

He said, “We ask for God’s mercy for what the Church did not do well in these hundred years here in Kipalapala, where we did not proclaim the Gospel with zeal in the past hundred years, and where we allowed even defilement to creep into the Church.”

Bishop Pisa further reflected on the legacy of the Catholic Church institution, which members of the Missionaries of Africa (MAfr/White Fathers) established in 1923 at Untinta near Lake Tanganyika and later relocated to Kipalapala in 1925. He said, “This is also part of the history of the whole Church in Tanzania, because many began their journey here.”