#BreakingNews Catholic Cathedral is Badly Vandalized and the Eucharist is Desecrated - the Bishop Closes its Doors for 20 Days

 The Bishop of the Catholic State of Geita, Bishop Flavian Matindi Kassala, in Tanzania, Africa, has issued a decree directing the closure of the Diocese of Geita State Cathedral for twenty days from 27 February to 18 March 2023.

In the decree, Bishop Kasala said that the decision is following the incident of blasphemy and the defilement that took place inside the Church. There was also desecration of the Holy Eucharist, and the defilement of the sanctity of the Church building and various Mass vessels.

A priest arriving at the church was informed by the guard of the presence of a person inside the church who at that moment was running from one side of the presbytery to the sacristy, breaking and destroying everything in his path. This was directly communicated by the Bishop of Geita, Flavian Matindi Kassala, referring to the tragic event that occurred on February 26, when an unknown person broke into the cathedral during the night, destroyed property and liturgical ornaments, and desecrated the Blessed Sacrament, destroying the tabernacle. The police investigation is still ongoing, and it appears that the person in question acted alone. Throughout the diocese, the entire Catholic community has been invited to pray.

The cathedral will remain closed for Eucharistic celebrations until March 18. The diocese of Geita is located in the north of Tanzania. Its territory includes the five civil districts of the new region with the same name, plus Sengerema, in the Mwanza region.

The bishop wrote, "I Flavian Matindi Kassala, who by the grace of God and the authority of the Apostolic seat is the Bishop of the Catholic State of Geita, and by the authority given to me by the law the Church Principles (Refer to 1211-1213), and by the instructions of the Bishop Authority, (Refer to Ceremonial of Bishop number 1070-1072)" he then made a special declaration. This was because the destruction that occurred at the Central Church of Geita State, Holy Mary, Queen of Peace, on the night of the 26th of February 2023 involved a great blasphemy of the Holy Eucharist. The intruder also violated the Sacrament of the Holy Communion to a great extent. It is a very serious destruction that has greatly affected the dignity and Catholic believers and the community as a whole.

He announced that the church has been closed for worship services for twenty days so that during that period the church will enter into repentance prayers awaiting sanctification. The Church has ordered all in Geita state to direct all doctrines and sermons to focus on repentance and vengeance at different masses.

"Throughout the period of Repentance all Catholic believers are invited to pray, fast, repent, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and ask for God's mercy. "In all these actions, let us pray to God to grant us inner strength," said Bishop Kassala.

He said the state cathedral will be opened on 18 March 2023 for the celebration of the holy mass, which will also include celebrations of: repentance of vengeance; blessings to sanctify the cathedral; and the restoration of the holy Eucharist into the cathedral. either the celebration on 18th March 2023, will be Statewide, and therefore priests, monks and believers are obliged to attend. All well-wishers are also welcome to participate in all these celebrations.

In a report by the police in Geita province, the investigation has identified that the suspect who attacked and vandalized the Catholic Church in Geita is a young man (25 years) resident of Katundu street, Kalangalala ward in Geita town.

Geita Province Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Safia Jongo has said this yesterday in front of the press and explained that the name of the suspect is being kept for security reasons.

Sources: Radio Maria Tanzania, Fides and Facebook