Tanzanian Catholic Bishop Urges Parents to Support Young People in Answering the Call to Priesthood and Religious Life

He urged those in such marriages, or what he termed as “prolonged courtship,” to make the effort to have their union formally solemnized in Church, explaining, “Solemnization is a blessing; it is something that sanctifies us; it is the foundation of the family.”

“You love each other—why not bless your love? Without marriage, we undermine the family,” the SDS member warned, urging parents also to encourage their children to marry in the Church to safeguard the strength of the family unit.

In his January 29 homily for the quasquicentennial celebration, which had been scheduled for two years earlier but postponed to 2026 due to other pastoral considerations in his Episcopal See, Bishop Msimbe also expressed concern about the large number of young people drifting from the Church after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.

“I have observed that many children receive Confirmation, but afterward they are no longer seen,” the 62-year-old Catholic Church leader said, recalling that last year alone he personally administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 3500 children and young people.

He emphasized the need for parents to continue the responsibility of guiding their children after they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, noting that ‘their faith still needs to be nurtured.

More in Africa

“Come out and study every day,” Students in Kenya Encouraged to Work Amid Challenges at School Opening Mass

Read the article

“Parents, we have a responsibility to supervise our children even after Confirmation,” said the Bishop Msimbe, who has been at the helm of Morogoro Diocese first as Apostolic Administrator following his February 2019 Papal appointment and later as Local Ordinary after his Episcopal Consecration in September 2021. 

Reflecting on the theme the 125-year-old Parish had chosen for the celebration, ‘New Life in Christ,’ Bishop Msimbe called the parishioners to allow the celebration to be a moment of renewal and an opportunity to begin a new journey to holiness.

He said, “You chose a very beautiful theme, and you have chosen the Apostle Paul as the patron of this Parish. Through this Jubilee we are reminded to convert like the Apostle Paul; let us imitate his example.” 

“We must give God first place, thank Him, and ask for His blessings so that our daily activities may receive His favor. Let us pray that God may grant us grace and blessings so that we may all attain holiness,” Bishop Msimbe said. 

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.