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Pope cheers Bishop Lebulu’s Silver Jubileeby Valentine Marc Nkwame
The world’s Catholic Sovereign, Pope John Paul II has congratulated the Archbishop for the Arusha Catholic Archdiocese, Dr. Josaphat Louis Lebulu, who recently observed his 25th anniversary as a bishop. The Pope had sent an official letter to the Archbishop, dated on the 27th of April this year, which was read at the climax ceremony to mark the Silver Jubilee at the Burka parish, by Father Paul Malisa. The national Catholic eminent, Polycarp Cardinal Pengo led the special mass which was also graced by the Prime Minister, Frederick Sumaye and State Minister, Mary Nagu among other distinguished guests. About 30 bishops and over 200 church priests from all over the country were also present at the mass, including the Arusha Diocese Bishop for the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCT), Thomas Laizer. The highly attended mass which was held on Sunday the 23rd of May this year, attracting over 5,000 people, culminated the one year long Silver Jubilee celebrations which started on the 24th of May last year. During that period, more than 30 activities, including those related to community development, health, sports and culture were conducted throughout Arusha and Manyara regions but the most outstanding one was the soccer match between Catholic priests and Protestant pastors, with the Regional Muslim Sheikh as referee of the match. Born at Kisangara Juu location in Kilimanjaro region on the 13th of June 1942, Bishop Lebulu is set to celebrate his 62nd birthday, next Sunday, the 13th of June 2004. Still going strong, the bishop’s mother, Emerentiana Kiure, also turned up to take part in her son’s Silver Jubilee celebration of bishophood. Holder of Ph.D in Sociology and Anthropology, Josaphat Lebulu, was the founding bishop of the Same Catholic Diocese in 1979. He was posted at the Arusha Diocese in April 1999.
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