Bishops hold back from endorsing Catholic front-runner

Catholic bishops in Tanzania have been cautious about endorsing any presidential candidate in today’s elections, but John Pombe Joseph Magufuli, a practising Catholic, has emerged as the front­-runner, writes Fredrick Nzwili.

In their latest pastoral letter on the elections, the bishops told the voters to turn out in large numbers, vote with their conscience and shun violence. But as electioneering entered the home straight this week, it became obvious that more Catholics would be voting than any other denomination.

Magufuli represents Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), “Party of the Revolution”, and a Lutheran, Edward Lowassa, is the presidential candidate for Chadema, the main opposition.

In Tanzania, Catholics number 10.5 million while Lutherans number 6.3 million. Religious acrimony has surfaced with some politicians saying Magufuli’s Catholic identity was winning him votes.