Pinda leads mourners in bomb blast burials

Archbishop Josaphat Lebulu (R) of the Arusha Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church blesses caskets bearing the bodies of three victims of the last Sunday�s bomb blast during a funeral service

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda yesterday led thousands of Arusha residents in the burial of three people who died in the fatal Catholic Church bombing incident, which occurred last Sunday.
The event attracted scores of government officials, leaders of various political parties, religious organizations and ordinary people from all walks of life.
Those buried are Regina Luning’o Kuresoi (50), James Gabriel (16) and a 9-year-old Patricia Joackim, laid to rest at the premises of the bombed church located in Olasiti suburb in the southwestern side of the rising city.
The bombing incident injured more than 60 people, gathered for the Sunday mass.
Security at the burial ceremony was tight as armed police officers were scattered all over the area. People from all corners of the beautiful city of Arusha started gathering at the church.
The burial prayer was led by His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, Archbishop of the Dar es Salaam Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.
Delivering a sermon during the burial, Cardinali Pengo called upon Christians to remain calm at the time when the church is passing in a very difficult time.
He asked Christians to look at the event as a challenge in winning over trials of the devil, as there are better ways to win the challenge ahead of them.
“This is a sin,” he said, asking: “What can we do? Let’s follow what Jesus did…we shouldn't seek to revenge on what happened to our loved ones, whom we are burying today.”
For his part, Premier Pinda reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure that such incidents are brought to an end and those who are behind terrorist activities are taken to task.
He however revealed that the Disaster Department Office in the Prime Minister’s Office has disbursed 100m/- to finance all activities linked to the negative impact caused by the Sunday’s deadly bomb blast.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) Archbishop Dr Alex Malasusa described the bombing incident as barbaric and shameful to the nation, which has been a champion of peace in east and central Africa.
Bishop of Mount Kilimanjaro Diocese of the Anglican Church Stanley Hotay also urged Christians to free themselves from fear as Jesus died for them, so that they can have hope.