PASTORAL DEPARTMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Pastoral Department, under the direction of the Bishop and assisted by the pastoral coordinator, has a special role to play in safeguarding the mission of the diocese, and ought to advocate the pastoral solicitude and love in whatever is done in the diocese. This department exists to support, facilitate, coordinate and develop ways of strengthening and revitalizing the pastoral service for the People of God in the diocese and encourages action on behalf of mission. It furthermore assists parish communities in developing a shared vision with an extensive network programs and advocacy. It encourages all approved diocesan approaches and programs by means of formation and training. Moreover, it has the duty to see to it that all the established socio-economic departments and related institutions are moved, in their operations, by the spiritual and pastoral solicitude and love. It is worth noting that the pastoral department works very closely with some departments, offices, commissions and programmes/units that are more pastoral oriented such as the catechetical department, lay apostolate department, liturgical department, Vocations department, Communications department, and social refugee services program, and the youth office.

CHATECHETICAL DEPARTMENT

This is one of the departments which operate under the Pastoral arm. The main function of this department is to coordinate all catechetical activities in the diocese. This involves religious instructions at all levels of the diocese in order to deepen understanding about the Gospel, promotion of faith and spiritual formation. The department runs 2 catechetical centres of Kasulu and Kabanga.

The chief duty of the department is to see to it that the Church’s doctrines and catechesis are taught in the manner that is proper and acceptable. It is responsible in moderating the systematic formation of catechumens, catechetical instructions in primary schools, secondary schools and collages. It is the duty of the department to prepare properly the Catechists so that they are equipped enough to teach religion at all levels of learning. The department is squarely responsible for the on going formation of all Christians. The department makes constant review, in collaboration with TEC Catechetical department, of the syllabus and learning materials required for teaching and learning religion.

General objectives of the department – To see to it that the first diocesan synod resolutions related to catechesis are implement by putting in place the programme or action plan. – To see to it that religion is instructed in schools and colleges. – To carry out seminars in parishes, especially on catechists in the field, providing them with tutorial skills. – To foster family apostolate by training trainers. – To supervise and monitor the sacramental instructions in parishes. – To improve the economic conditions of catechists by training them through seminars on Income Generating Projects and entrepreneurship. – Proceeding with preparing a write up on catechists’ means of transport ie bicycles. In the Diocese of Kigoma jurisdiction there are 22 Parishes, 286 outstations,2231 SCCs, 571 primary Schools, 135 Secondary Schools, 11 Colleges, 562 Catechists, 1363 Catholic Professional Teaches. Among these only 226 (priests, Catechists and the laity) teach religions. To these and through these the Department has to minister to the people of God in Kigoma. Much more efforts are needed to encourage and motivate stakeholders to volunteer in teaching religion.