TANZANIA: IN 1990, when Pope John Paul II set foot on Tanzanian soil, it was more than just a papal visit; it was the epitome of diplomatic recognition by the Holy See, affirming Tanzania’s relations with the Holy See.
To the Tanzanian people, including the Catholic majority, Vatican represents not just the home of the Pope but the very heart of the Holy Trinity.
Fast forward to 2024 and President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to the Vatican reaffirms the enduring and evolving relationship between Tanzania and the Vatican.
My first personal encounter with the Vatican’s diplomatic presence came in 2008 when I met His Excellency, Apostolic Nuncio Joseph Chennoth.
His command of language, fluent in English, Italian and most impressively Latin, which is hardly a conversational language, left me in awe.
As a seminary student, I found myself captivated not just by the faith but by the profound wisdom and communication skills that seemed to emanate from the Vatican itself.
Under Pope Francis, this wisdom has been channeled into a global mission of peace, with the Roman Curia, through the Secretariat of State, steering modern Vatican foreign policy with grace and precision.
The significance of Papal visit to Tanzania today
The inherent trustworthiness and identifiable character of the Tanzanian people align seamlessly with the Vatican’s enduring commitment to social justice, education and the promotion of peace.
These shared values are at the core of the Vatican’s initiatives, as outlined in Pope Francis’s encyclicals Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti.
A papal visit to Tanzania, often referred to as the cradle of mankind, would not only be a symbolic gesture but a pivotal moment to deepen these shared commitments.
Tanzania’s ongoing efforts to address poverty, improve access to education, healthcare and support vulnerable communities, including refugees, resonate with the broader mission of Vatican’s universal covenant family—a mission that transcends religious boundaries.
Mission beyond Catholicism In the realm of international affairs and diplomacy, Vatican diplomacy is unique, serving as both a state actor and a religious guide.
Just as Pope John Paul II found common ground with Julius Nyerere and Pope Pius XII fostered relations in Asia, contemporary diplomatic relations could thrive by enhancing educational and health institutions in Tanzania.
As a secular state, Tanzania is a beacon of religious harmony, where Christians, Muslims and other religions and non-believers coexist peacefully.
This environment presents an opportunity for Vatican diplomats to lay new roots in mediating conflicts across the East African region.
Moreover, by inviting papal diplomats to explore Tanzania’s national parks, we could not only strengthen diplomatic ties but also promote the preservation of nature alongside the preservation of faith.
Educational exchanges, diplomatic reflections
Could vibrant modern educational exchanges between Tanzania and the Vatican become a reality? Diplomacy, at its core, is the exchange of envoys to extend goodwill and meet mutual interests within the broader international community.
While the Vatican may not have invented diplomacy, its history of diplomatic practice dates back to 325, when Pope Sylvester sent legates to the Council of Nicaea, the earliest known papal diplomats.
The intertwining of the Vatican’s statehood with its religious missions offers a unique opportunity for both political and non-political engagements.
The idea of Tanzanian international affairs students studying at the Vatican, or Vatican lecturers teaching at Tanzanian institutions like the Centre for Foreign Relations, could be a transformative step forward.
Diplomatic training: Vatican’s legacy and Tanzania’s future
Vatican’s premier training school and Tanzania’s Centre for Foreign Relations could find common ground in their shared pursuit of diplomatic excellence.
Following the Renaissance, the Vatican established a diplomatic training school, formerly known as the *corps diplomatique*, dedicated to the art of international collaboration.
One of the key diplomatic instruments developed by the Vatican to formalise relationships with other sovereigns is the Concordat—a treaty with the backing of international law.
The Vatican’s diplomatic training, which includes lessons on the ever-changing global landscape, could greatly benefit Tanzanian students of international affairs.
Sending Tanzanian students to Rome for further studies or inviting Vatican lecturers to teach in Tanzania would enhance our diplomatic expertise and foster a deeper understanding of the Vatican’s diplomatic legacy.
Universal diplomacy through the magisterium
For Catholics, the Vatican is not merely a national entity but a universal institution, with the Magisterium at its core.
In today’s world, where educational exchanges are more critical than ever, understanding how to negotiate with apostolic nuncios and high-ranking Vatican diplomats is essential.
Mastery of international languages such as English, French, Italian, German and Chinese would further these universal diplomatic efforts.
The digital age in Tanzania-Vatican relations
In our increasingly digital world, driven by artificial intelligence and dynamic technology, institutions like Pope Francis’s Scholas Occurrentes Foundation could play a crucial role in equipping Tanzanian youth with cutting-edge educational skills.
For the Vatican, diplomacy is more than a duty; it is a divine calling, encapsulated in the Latin maxim in persona Christi capitis “in the person of Christ the Head.”
This principle underpins modern Vatican diplomacy, where shared fellowship and mission extend beyond the priesthood and Italian Roman citizenry to global educational contributions.
Regional peace and Vatican diplomacy
As a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Tanzania’s relationship with the Vatican has the potential to further peace in the region.
A recent example of Vatican diplomacy’s success was the mediation during Zimbabwe’s 2017 political crisis, where Fr Fidelis Mukonori, SJ, played a pivotal role in resolving the conflict.
His pastoral diplomatic skills and long-standing friendship with Robert Mugabe were instrumental in facilitating a peaceful transition of power.
This modern approach to diplomacy highlights the Vatican’s crucial role in both political and non-political issues, making it an indispensable partner in fostering peace and stability.
Vision for the future:God’s foreign policy
Tanzanian diplomats have a unique opportunity to bridge and build new foundations of diplomatic achievement between Tanzania and the Vatican.
This bridge offers a practical understanding that the Vatican is more than just the Church; it is a sovereign state among nations, contributing meaningfully to the global community.
This article aims to deepen readers’ understanding of economic diplomacy and its potential impact on Tanzanian society.
It envisions a future where Vatican academia yields tangible results, where Tanzanian and papal diplomacy work together to address critical humanitarian issues in the complex landscape of modern international relations
Pope Francis’s diplomatic vision
Pope Francis once urged, “Go and be fishers of men across the world of nations.
Do not fish in aquariums or farms, but have the courage to move away from the safety of what is already known and cast your nets and fishing rods out into less predictable places.”
This prophetic message resonates deeply with the future of Tanzanian-Vatican relations, encouraging all who believe in meaningful diplomatic accomplishments to step boldly into uncharted territories.
It is also a tribute to the Holy Diplomats who have served in Tanzania, past and present, following in the footsteps of exemplary Vatican representatives like Fr Angelo Roncalli, later Pope John XXIII. Roncalli, who deeply admired Julius Nyerere’s humanism, went on to become one of the most accomplished diplomats of the 1960s.
Nyerere at the centre of Vatican-Tanzanian diplomacy
In one of his first statements to Julius Kambarage Nyerere, Pope John Paul II, now St John Paul II, remarked, “The world that awaits you is thirsting for peace, is thirsting for God even when it is not aware of it.”
These words, repeated by St John Paul II at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in 2001, reflect the enduring spiritual and diplomatic legacy of Nyerere. Julius Nyerere was not just a statesman; he was a messenger of peace to a world in need.
His diplomatic acumen, rooted in a dignified spirit, united faith with reason.
From mediating peace in Burundi to brokering agreements in Zimbabwe, Nyerere’s contributions were instrumental in shaping modern African diplomacy. His legacy continues to align with the Vatican’s mission to protect and promote human dignity— a legacy that may well qualify him for canonisation.
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Hopeful future for Tanzania-Vatican relations
I am optimistic that the future of Tanzania-Vatican diplomatic relations will see new opportunities for collaboration, with the Roman Curia, the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and other Vatican institutions playing a more active role in Tanzania.
Offering scholarships to foster mutual understanding between the Vatican, Tanzania and Rome.
An understanding that could open new windows for cooperation and cultural exchange. Let us build on the foundation of past diplomatic successes and move forward with the vision that the Vatican is not just a Church, but a sovereign state among nations, contributing to global peace and understanding.
In our modern world, a renewed investment in diplomacy—emphasising language fluency, diplomatic writing, negotiation and character—is essential.
As Cardinal Rigali once noted, a deep knowledge of diplomatic history and Church-State relations is crucial for any diplomat. May Tanzanian and Vatican diplomacy continue to forge new paths, addressing humanitarian challenges and fostering peace and understanding in our ever-evolving world.
The writer is an Advocate of the High Court and Columnist Contributor in International Affairs and Legal Opinion Mobile: +255719500555 Email: novartigoshaj@gmail.com
