Over 25 priests and 60 nuns die in Tanzania

The General Secretary of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC), Father Charles Kitima, has on Wednesday announced that more than 25 priests, 60 nuns and two elders of the laity died within two months of various causes including respiratory issues.
Father Kitima made the remarks while addressing the media on various issues, especially the Covid-19 epidemic, and urged church members to continue taking precautions against the disease in accordance with Health ministry guidelines.
In a statement, Mr Kitima said the deaths occurred between mid-December and February in different parts of the country.
“Priests are dying and sisters are dying but this number within two months has shocked us especially considering that the government has strengthened health systems,” he said.
He said TEC president, Gervas Nyaisonga, had already distributed guidelines to Catholic bishops of various dioceses on measures to protect themselves against Covid-19 while providing services.
Although President John Magufuli had declared Tanzania Covid-19 free last June, a recent spate of deaths from “respiratory blockage” in the populace, including top political and government officials such as vice president of the semi-autonomous Zanzibar Seif Shariff Hamad and the president’s chief secretary John Kijazi—has prompted authorities to concede the existence of Covid-19.
The Health ministry has since issued statements warning the public to take precautions against all infectious diseases, wash hands and wear masks when necessary.

Edited by Olajumoke Adeleke