Tanzania’s Catholic Bishops Disown “Fake” Statement Circulating on Social Media Ahead of 2025 Elections

Dar es Salaam, 15 October, 2025 / 8:39 PM

The Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has disowned a document falsely attributed to the Catholic Bishops in the East African nation under the theme “The Voice of the People is the Voice of God,” describing it as “fake.”

Addressing members of the press on Monday, October 13, Fr. Charles Kitima clarified that the statement, which has been circulating on social media platforms since October 12, does not represent the official position of TEC. 

“We would like to categorically state that the Bishops of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference did not issue such a statement,” Fr. Kitima said. 

He explained, “The message falls under what is commonly known as ‘fake news.’ Even the signatures used in that document are forged, since the Bishops did not issue it, nor did they authorize anyone to make it.”

TEC Secretary General reiterated that Tanzania’s Catholic Bishops are “not associated with the contents of that document” purportedly titled “Statement of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) on Peace for the Nation Ahead of the General Elections of the United Republic of Tanzania to be held on October 29, 2025.”

The fake statement falsely claimed to convey messages from the Dar-es-Salaam-based Catholic Bishops’ Conference ahead of the country’s October 29 General Elections. It urged Tanzanians to uphold peace and unity during the polls and purported to offer what appeared to be guidance from TEC members on civic and moral responsibilities.

Published under five subheadings, including “recognition of the right to vote and democracy, ecclesial and spiritual perspective, call to safeguard peace, appeal to elected leaders, and appeal to all Tanzanians, the falsified document appealed to citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote responsibly and to promote peace, justice, and respect for human dignity throughout the electoral process.

The fake statement also alleged that the Catholic Church was providing moral and spiritual direction on the elections, calling on political leaders and the general public to avoid violence, hate speech, and political intolerance.

It additionally appeared to instruct members of the Clergy, men and women Religious, and Parish leaders to foster harmony and discourage the spread of incitement or misinformation, particularly on social media platforms – a message crafted to mimic the Church’s usual tone of pastoral guidance, but which TEC members have now firmly denounced as fabricated.

In his October 13 press conference, TEC Secretary General condemned the use of a falsified signature of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference President to authenticate a message that he said “did not originate” from TEC members.

“This is a serious misconduct involving the misuse of the Bishops’ institution and even the falsification of the signature of the President of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference to endorse a message that did not originate from the Conference,” Fr. Kitima said in the video recording, which Radio Maria Tanzania published on October 13.

Fr. Kitima reminded the people of God in Tanzania that Catholic Bishops follow well-established procedures when issuing official communications such as statements, pastoral letters, or messages, each with its own meaning and process.

“If someone has concerns, opinions, or wishes to have something addressed by the Church, he or she is encouraged to follow the proper channels,” the Tanzanian-born Catholic Priest said.

He went on to explain that in the Catholic Church’s structure, individuals begin at the family level, move to the Small Christian Community  (SCC) and then to the Parish Priest. “From there, the Priest can refer the matter to the Bishop, who may take it to the President of the Episcopal Conference,” he said.

The TEC Secretary General emphasized the importance of adhering to these procedures when conveying information to or on behalf of the Church. “Therefore, even if you have something to communicate, go through those procedures so that your message, ideas, or suggestions can reach the appropriate Church authorities,” he advised.

He warned, “Do not assume authority or present yourself as the Episcopal Conference or as its president when you are not.”

In his October 13 press conference, Fr. Kitima also urged Tanzanian authorities to take decisive action against those responsible for spreading misinformation and undermining institutional integrity.

“We call upon the authorities responsible to curb this bad habit of violating the integrity of institutions,” he said,  and appealed to the perpetrators to act according to their moral conscience and desist from such “unacceptable behaviour.”

“We are providing this official clarification to be shared widely across media platforms, especially online, so that people do not follow or believe the contents of that fake statement, which was not issued by the Bishops,” Fr. Kitima added.

In June, members of TEC, following their 109th Plenary Assembly, emphasized the need for the people of God in the East African nation to intensify prayers for justice and peace to prevail during the 2025 General Elections.

They dedicated August 23 as a National Day of Prayer and fasting ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for October 29.

In the statement dated June 19, which Bishop Simon Chibuga Masondole of the Catholic Diocese of Bunda signed, the Catholic Church leaders said, “The specific intention is to pray for our nation, Tanzania, that it may remain rooted in justice and peace as we approach the General Elections of 2025.”

Tanzania’s ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to retain power after the country’s election management body barred the main opposition candidates from participating in the planned polls.