Church-burning in Dar comes to trial

A court in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania is going to the site of last year's church burning.

Key quote:

"The pastor's office of the ELCT-Mbagala parish was extensively damaged," Senior State Attorney, Tumaini Kweka told the Principal Resident Magistrate, Waliarwande Lema, as he was leading her to the office at the scene of the crime situated at Mbagala Zakhem.

Earlier, the prosecution read memorandum of facts of the case against 10 people linked with the violence, before asking the court to shift to the church area as was part of exhibits that would be tendered in course of the hearing

The church burning was allegedly started by reports that someone desecrated the Quaran:

The accused in the case are Hamad Sekondo, Shego Musa, Mashaka Iman, Hamza Mohamed, Mikidadi Sadik, Juma Mbegu, Issa Abdallah, Hamis Kimwaga, Ramadhan Mbulu and Mohamed Yusuph. Violence that led to the case were allegedly fuelled by two young boys aged below 18 years that were playing and exchanging ideas about religious issues.

It was reported that one of the youths urinated on a Holy book of Muslim (Quran). The matter was reported to the elders and then at Mbagala Police Station for further action.

While legal actions were in progress, a group of people believed to be bandits under the pretext of Muslim devotees, invaded various public and private institutions, including the church, Mbagala parish. Such group at the time was armed with iron bars and blocks, destroyed the fence around the church and entered into the building which was used as a place of worship.

Government corruption and the Church

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania Bishop Thomas Laizer speaks out against corruption in government.

Speaking out is one thing. But should the Church do more than just talk? Should the Church be willing to "name names"? Support candidates running for office? Take political positions for/against certain government programs? The Church risks being seen as a partisan in that case.

One problem I have with religious leaders taking some vague stand against corruption is that it amounts to picking low-hanging fruit. Pretty easy, since no one will openly defend graft and theft. Yet on issues such as the massive debt that the USA is running up I have heard very little that is meaningful from religious leaders. Surely spending mind-boggling amounts of money that our children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren will have to pay back is a cruel form of theft much worse than any petty bureaucrat who finds tax money sticking to his/her hands. Why the relative quiet from religious leaders on the US debt?

Telecommunications in the Tanzanian medical system

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has introduced a system where Tanzanian health workers can use cell phone technology to diagnose patints in remote rural locations.

Please pray for all who work in the Tanzanian health system.

Shortage of medics in Tanzania

The head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Dr. Alex Malasusa says Tanzania is facing a serious shortage of trained medical workers.

ELCT membership increases

The membership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has increased to over 5.6 million.

Please pray for Tanzanian Lutherans.

News: Lutheran churches in Tanzania

Tanzanian Lutheran Churches continue to see growth.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania rejects ELCA's decision concerning homosexuality

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has reiterated her opposition to same-sex marriage and stated that those who are in such unions are not welcome to work in the ELCT because such practice is incompatible with Biblical teaching.

Key quote:

The ELCT Executive Council meeting, held in Moshi on April 27 to 28 this year, received and approved "The Dodoma Statement" prepared in January this year by the ELCT Bishops' Council. The bishops met in Dodoma to discuss in details steps to take after the decision of some European and American churches to recognize same-sex marriages.

The Statement says: "Those in same sex marriages, and those who support the legitimacy of such marriage, shall not be invited to work in the ELCT. We further reject their influence in any form, as well as their money and their support."

This will be interesting if the ELCA tries to knowingly send homosexual couples to Tanzania as missionaries.

Do not underestimate the resolve of Tanzanian Christians on this issue. As economically poor as the ELCT is, they will not sell out. I know these Christians well, and they will stand strong.

In a way, this could be a blessing in disguise. Many Tanzanian Christians have been concerned about the growing Western influence on Tanzanian culture - especially sexual and family customs. Independence from American denominations may help Tanzanian churches avoid the spiritual poison that is destroying the ELCA.