Samia mourns Bishop Sendoro

DAR ES SALAAM: President Samia Suluhu Hassan has extended her condolences to the Head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), Bishop Dr. Alex Gehaz Malasusa, following the tragic passing of Bishop Chediel Elinaza Sendoro of the ELCT Mwanga Diocese.

Bishop Sendoro passed away in a fatal car accident on the night of September 9, 2024.

In a message posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, @SuluhuSamia, the Head of State wrote: “I have received with deep sorrow the news of the passing of Bishop Chediel Elinaza Sendoro, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) Mwanga Diocese. I extend my condolences to the Presiding Bishop of the ELCT, Bishop Dr. Alex Gehaz Malasusa, all the bishops, congregants, the family, relatives, and friends.”

President Samia further offered words of comfort from the Bible, quoting Hebrews 13:14: “For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”

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According to Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa, the accident occurred around 1:30am at the Himo-Mwanga junction.

The Bishop’s vehicle collided head-on with a Scania truck while he was attempting to overtake other convoys.

Commander Maigwa stated that investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.

Bishop Sendoro’s body has been taken to Mwanga District Hospital for further arrangements.

Bishop Sendoro served as the first bishop of the Mwanga Diocese since its formation in 2016, following the division of the Pare Diocese.