Seminarian allegedly commits suicide after failing to advance in priestly formation
What you need to know:
- The preliminary cause of death is believed to be Masasawe's failure to be approved by his superiors for the next stage of priestly formation, which involves taking first religious vows.
Dar es Salaam. Rogassion Masasawe, a seminarian from the Holy Ghost Congregation in the Tanzania Province of the Catholic Church, has reportedly taken his own life by hanging.
The incident occurred at the Magamba Novitiate Formation House in the Tanga Region.
According to Tanga Regional Police Commander, Almachius Mchunguzi, Masasawe was found hanging in his room at the Magamba Formation House.
The preliminary cause of death is believed to be Masasawe's failure to be approved by his superiors for the next stage of priestly formation, which involves taking first religious vows.
"Initial information we have received indicates that the reason for the seminarian's suicide is that he failed to be approved by his superiors to proceed to the next stage of formation, which is another year of training," Commander Mchunguzi said.
"As a result of the stress, he made the decision to take his own life," he added.
The Commander stated that the police are investigating the death and will release a statement to the public once the investigation is complete.
The Citizen spoke to Julias Nyangusi, Chairman of the Magamba Village Council in Lushoto District. Nyangusi confirmed the incident and said they received news of Masasawe's death yesterday afternoon.
He acknowledged that Masasawe was living at the formation house (which they are accustomed to calling a seminary) located in the village.
"And the initial information we have received is that he was given a letter by his superiors asking him to leave the house because he would not be able to take his first vows next month," the chairman claimed.
The chairman further claimed that the deceased left a text message for his mother that read: "Mother, don't cry, I failed to achieve my goals. I know I disappointed many," Nyangusi said.
The Citizen attempted to reach the leaders of the formation house and others from the Catholic Diocese of Tanga for comment but without success.
However, one of the leaders of the formation house, who wished to remain anonymous as he is not a spokesperson, confirmed that Seminarian Masasawe had indeed committed suicide but that it was too early to discuss the matter and that a full statement would be issued by church leaders later.
