Catholic Church Archdiocese In Tanzania Expels Nigerian Priest

 

The Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam has expelled a Nigerian Catholic priest, Christopher Fosudo.

 

He has also been ordered to leave the country.

 

However, the Country Immigration Police said it had no problem with the cleric as he prepares to leave the country.

 

Tanzania Times reports that Catholic Church leaders in Dar-es-Salaam simply terminated Father Christopher Fosudo’s services through a letter which didn’t offer much explanation regarding the decision.

 

The circular dated August 17, 2022, was signed by its secretary Vincent Mpwaji to all priests in the Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam.

 

During his tenure in Tanzania, Father Fosudo worked as the Assistant Parish Priest at the Magomeni Catholic Church in Dar-es-Salaam City.

 

However, Fr Fosudo on Sunday told The Citizen’s sister newspaper Mwananchi that despite being allowed to continue with his duties by the Immigration Force, he was planning to leave the country.

 

“It is difficult to continue staying here. I have decided to leave after consulting my Bishop in Nigeria. It is he who makes the final decision whether I should return or remain,’ he said.

 

According to him, he has currently requested temporary shelter at the house belonging to the church, noting however that he is ready to leave if he is asked to. He, however, declined to disclose the reasons for his repatriation, saying it is unhealthy to disclose everything in the media.

 

He said he arrived in the country in 2014, and taught at the Jordan University in Morogoro until 2016 when he returned home and returned in 2017/18 for further studies.

 

According to the report, the Dar es Salaam Immigration Police's senior officer, Mr Peter Mwita, said the priest was summoned for interrogation after the letter went viral on social media.

 

He said the police wanted to determine whether there were any violations of the country's laws and regulations.

 

“We released him to continue with his responsibilities after failing to implicate him with any violations. However, the Force has received no directive from the Church or an individual,” he said.

 

During the inquiry, the police established that the priest is a PhD student at the University of Dar es Salaam (Udsm) residing in the country under a students’ visa acquired after following pre-requisite procedures.

 

But, the Dar-es-Salaam arch-bishop, Ruwai’chi declined to provide reasons for the decision.