{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Escrow saga dominates sermons on Christmas - National - thecitizen.co.tz
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Escrow saga dominates sermons on Christmas - National
Bishop Michael Hafidh of the Anglican Church in Zanzibar delivers a sermon during the National Christian Council of Tanzania (CCT) Chrismas Mass at the University of Dar es Salaam yesterday. PHOTO | VENANCE NESTORY
Dar es Salaam. The Tegeta escrow scandal continued to reverberate far and wide yesterday, dominating Christmas sermons across the country.
Days after President Jakaya Kikwete delivered his verdict on the scandal, the debate around it refuses to die, with several bishops making it their central theme in sermons that followed prayers held to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
The bishops' message delivered in packed churches and in open grounds during mass was that Tanzanian leaders were running out of time to tame widespread corruption that they warned had driven the public to the edge.
They also want the public to hold their leaders accountable and engage them in a manner that would bring positive change in governance and economic prosperity for all.
The Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Dr Alex Malasusa, said he was worried by the blatant courage to engage in corruption among political leaders and civil servants.
"While other families cannot afford a meal, others are talking about personal billions of shillings. Leaders are not accountable; they are busy trying to clear their names after embezzling public funds," he said.
Bishop Michael Hafidhi of the Zanzibar Anglican Church told President Kikwete not to condone corrupt public leaders.
"The President should not feel ashamed to take head on those who fail his government."
In Mbeya, Catholic bishop Evarist Chengula urged the youth to join politics and fight for polices that would guarantee peace, security and development.
"It is time for you to engage yourself fully in politics by joining the right political party whose policies aim to bring peace, harmony and tolerance among people of different ideologies. Don't join a party that embraces graft, selfishness and embezzlement of public funds," he said.
He said happiness is history to majority of Tanzanians today after losing peace of mind due to what they see their leaders do. He said the country's social and economic goals have lost directions because of shortsightedness of those in leadership.
Bishop Telesphor Mkude of Morogoro Diocese said it was good that the Tegeta escrow account scandal was brought to light and hoped Tanzanians can learn a lesson or two from it.
"A thief always does not want people to know their wicked ways but the lesson to learn from this escrow matter is that we can track use of public funds. I want to say that this should not end here but until when what is public is refunded."
The Bishop of the Central Tanganyika Diocese of the Anglican Church, Dr Dickson Chilongani, said President Kikwete's speech on the escrow scandal had raised more fear among hopeless Tanzanians.
Evangelical preacher Anthony Lusekelo reiterated that the funds in the escrow account was public as stated by Parliament. "I heard President Kikwete's speech from the beginning to the end and want to disagree that the money belonged to IPTL. But that may be the end and I now leave it to God."
In Serengeti, Father Aloice Magabe of the Mugumu Catholic Parish said religious leaders who were reported to have taken part of the escrow funds should weigh on their conscience to say the truth.
Iringa Diocese Bishop said poor leadership and unfriendly polices were to blame for the entrenchment of poverty among Tanzanians.
"I'm shocked as you are to hear one person talk of taking those billions..how long will this last them? Our collective poverty may be contributed to by just one individual."
Bishop Zachary Kakobe of the Full Gospel Bible Fellowship said he was not ready to preach for peace while those entrusted with public leadership were busy undermining security over corruption.
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