“He didn’t stutter and so we will not stutter,” the Archbishop said in his homily March 26.
He lamented that in today’s world, trusting God and including Him in people’s daily lives is considered backward and shameful.
He said that in some countries, including the name of God in the constitutions that are supposed to unite people has brought about controversy.
“There are those who say that there is no God. This is the highest level of paganism,” the Tanzanian Archbishop said.
He added in reference to those who deny God’s existence, “They say that God doesn’t mean anything in their lives. But even then, you don’t expect a person who sets out to make a nuclear weapon to pray. We are always encouraged to pray before we do anything; how can anyone pray before making such destructive equipment?”
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“When a man in Tanzania kept mentioning the name of God in reverence, these nations said he was confused. It baffled them that instead of relying on science and research, this man chose to trust in God,” the Prelate said in reference to the late President.
He called upon the people of God in the East African country not to find themselves in situations where they omit God in their lives.
“Let’s remain faithful to our creator,” he said, and explained, “Today, because of development, people have started to say that there is no God. Such betrayal happened in history and it led to people being taken into slavery because they had disobeyed God.”
He quoted Psalms 53 saying, “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God” and added, “Let us work but also remember the one who created us.”
The Archbishop regretted that people, especially in developed countries, would rather believe science and research than trust in God.
Their attitude, the Archbishop said, can be seen in the “ungodly” cultures they have adopted including abortion and homosexuality, which he describes as “total madness”.
“The other day, one of these countries came up with something they referred to as the Equality Act. It is total madness and we pray that our leaders will not get us to such levels of madness,” said Archbishop Nyaisonga.
Addressing government leaders who attended the Requiem Mass, the Tanzanian Archbishop added, “When in parliament, remember that you are in holy grounds. Don’t mention things such as abortion or things like gender transition when in parliament.”
Addressing the country’s new President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Archbishop implored, “I know you understand the meaning of these evils. Help us. Be firm so that Tanzania and if possible, all her neighbors, does not get to entertain such behaviors as homosexuality, gender transition and other unacceptable practices.”
Archbishop Nyaisonga urged the people of God in Tanzania to continue trusting in God, following the example of the late President saying, “As Magufuli used to tell us, if we work hard and continue trusting in God, we’ll one day develop to the level of being donors to other countries.”
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.