„The Involvement of the Catholic Church in Societal Processes in East Africa“ – Annual Seminar in Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar, Tanzania KAAD Association of Scholars from East Africa (KASEA)

In addition to the 63 KAAD alumni and fellows from Africa, there were seven other KAAD alumni and scholars holders from Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East who had previously attended the KAAD Conference in Zimbabwe. Also present were the head of the KAAD Africa department, Dr. Marko Kuhn and the desk officer in the same department Fernanda Hulverscheidt Fagundes.

As hosts and speakers of the seminar, the Bishop of Zanzibar, Augustine Ndeliakyama Shao CSSp and Fr. Damas Mfoi, Priest of Nungwi Parish, highlighted Zanzibar's particular situation in terms of identity and religion. Also the difficult situation concerning as inter-religious dialogue in Zanzibar was a main point of their presentation and the ensuing discussion. The speakers referred to the so-called “Dialogue of Life and Coexistence”, i. e. the testimony through daily living and working together which enables the Catholic Church to play a role in societal processes in Zanzibar. Unfortunately, they also had to report that the representatives of the majority religion were not willing to go into deeper dialogue about religion itself, i. e. the dogmatic content of doctrine and ethics.

The participants themselves also discussed the topic of how the church can positively get involved in their local societal affairs. They did that in breakout-groups representing the different regions of East Africa and other parts of the globe, sharing their own experiences and perspectives and afterwards presenting their results in the plenary session.

The second main presentation came from Dr. Catherine Biira (Uganda) and Christopher Otieno Omolo (Kenya/Tanzania) who offered their “ten concrete suggestions for a future role of the church in African societies”, again an opportunity for lively discussion in the plenary hall.

Finally, the three chapters of KASEA from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania gave an overview of their activities over the past year before the latest issue of the "KASEA Newsletter" was presented.

As the spiritual highlight of the seminar, the group celebrated holy mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral in the middle of Stone Town, the oldest part of Zanzibar City. This was followed by a guided tour of this historic area. The afternoon availed an insight into organic farming of fruits and spices during a “spice tour” and the day found an atmospheric close in a joint dinner on the beach of Nungwi in the north of Zanzibar. This day of exploring the island together rounded off the program in the treasured "KAAD spirit" of discussion and community building.