The Tanzania-Madagascar Region has a new Regional Council. The election took place of the 24th of June. This is the first regional election since the incorporation of Madagascar community to the Region of Tanzania.
By Paulino Madeje *
The election was preceded by a reflection given by Father Zachary King’aru, a Consolata missionary working in the Region. Based on the Gospel of Mark 6:31, where Christ is inviting his disciples to come to a secluded place and rest a while, this priest, with extensive experience in missionary life, and having worked in Ivory Coast for many years, emphasized on the call to holiness, as Father Joseph Allamano taught and lived, but also, and principally, as God’s call to all to participate in His holiness.
“We have to be holy as religious brothers and priests (Cosi vi Voglio, p 37). We are called to be missionaries, but we have to sanctify ourselves always. Holiness will make us become effective in the mission”, he reiterated. According to his point of view, if we want to convert non-Christians, we have to be people of prayer. We have to look for sanctity always in order to convert others.
He added that a missionary is called to proclaim the Word of God in the world. “But, what kind of missionary”? he interrogated. For him, a good Consolata missionary is that who is ready to work anywhere in the world. It is not good to choose some places. We are called to work in all places where the Institute sends us. That is our mission.
What kind of a leader?
Father Zachary terminated his reflection calling the missionaries to ponder seriously on the election of the Regional Council, which was the objective of the assembly. “Today, we are going to elect leaders. What kind of leaders do we want”? He questioned. For him, a good leader is that with a fatherly spirit and love. Furthermore, he must have a progressive mind, who listens and has the congregation in his heart. Finally, a leader must visit his missionaries in times of joy and sorrow.
New leaders
The missionaries then elected the following Regional Council members:
Father Rodrick Tumaini Minja (Regional Superior).
Father Yohane Kalisti Kimario (Vice Regional Superior).
Father Symphorien Fumwasendji Kapumba (Councilor).
Father Deogratias Makei Mlay (Councilor).
Father Jean Tulubá Mwanokunza (Councilor).
On the second day, a seminar on Leadership was offered to the missionaries, whereby, the presenter, Rev. Fr. Ignas Kimaryo, a Canonist at Jordan University College (JUCO), made an itinerary presentation on the general principles of leadership, leadership in religious life, biblical foundation of Christian leadership and Service of authority and obedience. This had as an objective, to help the missionary grow in the exercise of leadership.
* Father Paulino Madeje, IMC, Tanzania. Coordinator of Communication for Africa.
