By Nicodemus Ikonko
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha is about to complete its new Cathedral, which has been under construction for nearly 14 years, according to Father Paul Malisa, the Parish Priest of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus where the Cathedral is located, he told The Arusha News.
Once completed, the Cathedral will be able to seat comfortably 3,500 worshippers, nearly three times the capacity of the current church, Father Malisa explained.
“Construction is progressing well and the project is about 90 per cent complete,” said the priest. The building is situated within St Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish, just behind the Central Police Station. If all goes according to plan, the church building will be consecrated next year.
The imposing structure features modern architectural elements, including extensive use of glass to enhance natural lighting and create a serene interior décor, designed to make worshipping a truly devotional experience. In keeping with Catholic tradition and moral authority, the interior design will also incorporate locally inspired motifs and artworks to reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Arusha region.
The project was initially expected to cost 7.0 billion Shillings. However, due to inflation, the total cost is now projected to exceed 9.0 billion Shillings, Father Malisa added.
Funding for the project has come entirely from contributions by the community, coordinated by the Parish Construction Committee. “We are deeply grateful for the community’s ongoing support and continue to encourage contributions to enable the completion of the project,” Father Malisa remarked.
St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Parish has been a cornerstone of Catholic evangelism in Arusha since its establishment in 1926. The new Cathedral is expected to significantly enhance the Parish’s capacity to continue proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of mankind.
The church in Arusha also operates a number of schools and hospitals that serve all people, regardless of their creed or faith.
