THE Secretary-General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Father Dr. Charles Kitima, has led a thanksgiving Mass for the first time after being discharged from the hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for about a month following an attack against him.

Father Kitima presided over the Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary located at TEC-Kurasini in Dar es Salaam today, June 3, 2025.

 He was joined by priests, religious sisters and brothers, and other TEC Secretariat staff in a special celebration to thank God for his healing.

Delivering the homily during the Mass, Father Kitima expressed his gratitude to God for healing him from an attack that was meant to end his life. He also thanked all those who offered prayers and well-wishes during his time in treatment.

“We thank God for His goodness, and we also thank everyone who was touched by the incident. Let us pray that the Church remains strong and unwavering. We must remember that the Catholic Church is a trusted institution, a voice for the voiceless, and a companion of the downtrodden. Let us pray for our Church to continue being a light and hope for Tanzanians,” he said.

He also urged members of the TEC Secretariat to receive everything that happened with eyes and hearts of faith, emphasizing that in all matters the Church stands for on behalf of the vulnerable, God will respond.

“God will not remain silent—He will answer our prayers. Let us remain steadfast in our work. Remember that even the apostles faced hardships. Let us not turn back but remain firm in our faith,” he added.

Written by Pascal Mwanache, TEC.