Dar es Salaam. Good morning! The Chanzo is here with a rundown of major news stories reported in Tanzania on Wednesday, December 21, 2023.

Tanzania’s archibishop Ruwa’ichi react to the declaration on blessing same sex couples, ‘I will not be able to bless them’

Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi of Tanzania’s Dar-es-Salaam Archdiocese has asked members of the Catholic church in Tanzania to remain calm following the release of the declaration titled Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings.

The declaration which was released on December 18,2023, outline mechanism which couples in irregular situations and same sex can receive blessings in the catholic church.

“When somebody comes to me for a blessing its not possible for me to know if they are gay or not, I will simply bless them,” argued Archbishop Ruwa’ichi.

“But when two people come to me and they told me that they are the same sex couples and ask me to bless them, I will ask them what should I bless you for, I will not be able to bless them in their relation.”

“I will just advise them on how to deal with their challenge, but personally I will not be able to bless them as same sex couples,” added Archbishop Ruwa’ichi.

The declaration which was authorized by Pope Francis set the distinction between liturgical blessing and spontaneous blessing and provides that same sex couple can receive spontaneous blessing.

“Within the horizon outlined here appears the possibility of blessings for couples in irregular situations and for couples of the same sex, the form of which should not be fixed ritually by ecclesial authorities to avoid producing confusion with the blessing proper to the Sacrament of Marriage,” reads part of the declaration.

The declaration went on to putting conditions that confusion should be avoided in blessing same sex couples by avoiding, ‘clothing, gestures, or words that are proper to a wedding’. It further argued, “the blessing should never be imparted in concurrence with the ceremonies of a civil union, and not even in connection with them.”

Archbishop Ruwa’ichi has argued that the declaration is intentionally misconstrued by people who don’t wish the best for the Catholic Church.

“Some go as far as to say that the Pope has allowed gay marriages, there is no blessing that can contravene basic tenets about marriage. Catholic marriage is a union between a husband and wife”, emphasized Ruwa’ichi

Several African catholic bishops have come out to clarify the declaration this include the Nigeria bishops who have said that ‘there is no possibility in the church of blessing same-sex unions’. Kenyan’s bishops have clarified that the ‘declaration does not seek an alternative ‘union blessing’ to substitute a sacramental marriage’.

Archibishop  Rawaichi went on to ask members of the catholic church to remain calm and continue to follow correct teachings, ‘don’t panick’ he emphasized.

Police to Investigate claims of abuse and torture

Tanzania Police has reported to commence an investigations about incidents of torture and abuse as reported by The Chanzo on December 21,2023.

In a video report that has so far gone viral, The Chanzo documented claims of humiliation and torture of a 38-year old Kalamba Ramadhani Mnenge. Mnenge was arrested on December 10,2023, and went on to be tortured by the Police for three days.

“The Police has seen the videos of the complaints and have started to work on them seriously. To make sure justice is served, police will work together with other criminal-justice stakeholders,” said Police Spokesperson David Misime.

Yesterday, several plain clothes police visited the offices where our Dodoma correspondent is based looking for her, The Chanzo is yet to establish the intention of the police.

Worldbank approves USD 1.3 billion financing to support Tanzania private sector and the DMDP project

World Bank has approved USD 750 million financing facility for supporting private sector and USD 385 million for the phase two of the Dar es Salaam Metropolitan Development Project (DMDP).

The new financing comes at the moment when World Bank has released its report Country Economic Memorandum for Tanzania  which among other things it recommends for the country to accelerate the implementation of business climate and investment promotion reforms, improving productivity and resilience in agriculture by addressing the drivers of low productivity—limited access to technology, finance, and skills.

The second phase of the DMDP will focus on climate-smart priority infrastructure, integrated solid waste management infrastructure and services, and strengthening urban institutions.

The DMDP is expected to be used in the construction of 207.8 kilometers of roads, particularly in underserved low-income areas. It also enhanced flood protection for 406 hectares of urban land and upgraded 152 informal settlements

One of the area that is expected to be impacted by the facility is the highly vulnerable Jangwani area, the government aims to revitalize the entire zone around the Msimbazi river basin. This initiative includes the construction of a 390-meter bridge on the Jangwani/Morogoro road section.

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