The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania (ELCT) has distanced itself from the recognition of same-sex marriages by Lutheran churches in the US and Sweden.

The head of the ELCT, Bishop Alex Malasusa, said during his Easter Mass sermon at the Azania Front Church in Dar es Salaam that the local church did not support the decision because it was against God's word.

He said Lutheran churches in the US and Sweden had strayed from the Scriptures, and it was up to Africa to bring them back into line.

"ELCT has refused to recognise the decision to allow same-sex marriages because it is against the Holy Bible. It is in direct contravention of God's word, which has not changed," Bishop Malasusa said.

He added that Tanzania and Africa had taken a common stand on the issue and would not waver.

"It's time Africa preached to the rest of the world and remind them of God's word because it seems they have forgotten what the Bible says," Bishop Malasusa said amid cheers from worshippers who attended the Mass. To avoid undue influence from the US and Sweden, Bishop Malasusa urged the church in Tanzania and across Africa to strive for financial and economic independence.

“We should be independent so that they don’t use their money and wealth to threaten us…we should leave them with their money and stick to the word of God,” he said.

This being an election year, Bishop Malasusa said, Tanzanians should be wary of people who wanted to gain leadership at any cost, adding that the enthusiasm of some people who were vying for leadership was “worrisome”.

“There are people who will stop at nothing to ascend to leadership. This is worrying because the Scriptures tell us that good leaders do not campaign for posts…they are asked to vie for leadership by those who want them to be their leaders,” he said.

Bishop Malasusa said Tanzanians should be wary of those displaying an insatiable hunger for power and question their motives ahead of the elections. He urged Tanzanians to fully participate in the election process by first registering as voters and casting their ballots without fail because “this is the only way to lock out candidates with questionable motives”.

“During the elections, we should go

He said a situation where the poor were getting poorer and the rich were getting wealthier was unhealthy for a country that believed in equality.

He said it was disheartening to note that Tanzania was still among the world’s poorest countries despite having an abundance of natural resources and other forms of potential wealth.

“Perhaps what we have been lacking are leaders with the will and ability to rid us of the ‘poor country’ tag…we should not repeat this mistake this year. We should elect good leaders who are able to lift us out of poverty,” he said.

Bishop Malasusa warned people against mudslinging one another during campaigns, and appealed to law enforcement organs to ensure fair play in the run-up to the elections.

He also called for the swift conclusion of pending issues that were of public interest, particularly cases involving the misuse of public resources.

The Tanzania Media Women Association (Tamwa) executive

Notable figures who attended the Mass included former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, Chadema national chairman Freeman Mbowe and Finance and Economic Affairs deputy minister Jeremiah Sumari.

Earlier, Cardinal Polycarp Pengo said during the Easter Eve Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral that Christians should be patient and obedient while celebrating the Resurrection.

“Corruption is on the rise, there are endless conflicts, and our beloved ones are dying in road accidents. These are big challenges both to the country and the Church…we have to establish where we have gone astray and change our ways,” he said.

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