Tanzania’s Lutheran Bishops Urge Peaceful Response to Church Burnings

LWF General Secretary Encourages Faithful Witness amid Tensions

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) has pledged to continue working with local communities to create a peaceful Tanzania following the burning of churches and Christian buildings by Islamist extremists in the country’s coastal region this month.

The 20 bishops of the ELCT labeled the attacks “torture” and “persecution” of the church but urged Christians to resist the temptation to seek revenge.

“We urge all Christians to pray and fast for the peace of this nation. As Christians we are not ready to kill, [seek] revenge in the name of Christ. Our God is not defended by killing others or destroying others’ properties,” the bishops said in an 18 October statement issued in Mbagala, Dar es Salaam, where one Lutheran church was burned down.

They stated they had traveled to the area to share the community’s grief, and offer solidarity and hope.

“Through the ashes of the burnt altars in Mbagala, a new Tanzania will emerge. The ashes and your tears are fertility for a new Tanzania, which will care for love, tolerance, unity, solidarity, freedom of religion and leadership that has no sides with any religion,” the bishops said.

Church and media reports indicate that over the past two weeks Islamist extremists have burned down several church building in various parts of Tanzania after an apparent argument between two minors in Mbagala, following which a Koran was allegedly defiled.

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge expressed concern over the violence in a 22 October letter to ELCT Presiding Bishop Dr Alex G. Malasusa, who is also LWF vice-president for the Africa region.

“We have read with great attention and appreciation the strong and faithful word offered by the bishops of the ELCT to the members of the church and society at large,” Junge said.

Referring to Paul’s Letter to the Galatians (“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” 5:22-23), Junge added: “We pray for those fruits of the Spirit to manifest themselves abundantly in the ways in which the church as a whole continues to address the tensions and violence that have erupted.”

The LWF general secretary also called on the Tanzanian government to take on its duty of protection and enforcement of the laws of the country; and to ensure the administration of justice.

The Lutheran bishops emphasized they would continue to preach patience and love in the midst of the current religious tension sweeping Tanzania. “We are urging all Christians to forgive and continue to be good citizens. Be actively involved in bringing about real change through proper channels,” they added.