Remain “truly” Devoted to Priestly Mission: Catholic Archbishop in Tanzania at Chrism Mass

Christian who drift from their faith practice, Tanzanian-born member of the Order of Friars Minor (OFM Cap) noted, do so “because they lack teaching, guidance, and a proper direction for living their faith and feeling at home in their church.”

He reiterated the need for Priests to accompany the faithful in their journey of faith and added, “Instead of people running off to whoever else, let them run to you.”

“From you, their Priests, the faithful will receive the Word of Life; from you, they will receive the Sacraments of the Church,” Archbishop Ruwa’ichi explained, and added, “Nowhere else are Sacraments found; from you, the faithful will receive comfort and instruction and they will be sanctified.”

Dear Priests, he continued, “do not be complacent; dedicate yourselves wholeheartedly to serving, sanctifying, guiding, and giving direction to your faithful.”

“As you do this remember that you have several ways to fulfill your duties; the first way is by living your vocation fully; living your consecration; living your mission,” the Catholic Church leader said, and added, “The second way is by being people of prayer, praying for those you lead, and also praying for yourselves.”

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He underscored the need for Priests to be deeply grounded in the Scriptures, saying, “The Word that should first nourish you, so that you may nourish the people of God.”

In his April 15 Chrism Mass homily, the 71-year-old Catholic Church leader, who has been at the helm of Dar-es-Salaam Archdiocese since August 2019 urged Priests ministering in his Metropolitan See to “correct misconceptions” on the Holy Oils through catechesis.

“This catechesis should not be left to the Catechist alone, dear Priests. You give the catechesis, correct misconceptions and help people have a clear and correct understanding,” he said.

Recalling an encounter with a Priest who, he said, sought his permission to “bless oils so that laypeople could anoint themselves,” Archbishop Ruwa’ichi said, “This idea of blessing oils for laypeople to use out there is misleading and not proper.”

“So, the oils we bless and consecrate today are not for casual anointing in public; they are to be used within the Church, following the correct and appropriate order, to sanctify God’s people,” he directed, and added, “I emphasize this with all seriousness and ask that it be understood as the clear position of the Church.”

The Tanzanian OFM Cap. Archbishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in May 1999 as Bishop of Tanzania’s Mbulu Catholic Diocese assured Priests in his Metropolitan See of his Spiritual solidarity.

“We would like to thank God for the gift of each one of you, dear Priests. We pray for blessings, comfort, and God's grace upon you in your discipleship, in your consecration, and in your mission,” Archbishop Ruwa’ichi said during the April 15 anticipated Chrism Mass.