Teacher Ludovick Joseph Leads Deep Reflection as Catholic Faithful Speak Out Against Conduct of Some Church Leaders.

Teacher Ludovick Joseph, a Catholic faithful in Tanzania, has issued a deep reflection of conscience that has sparked wide discussion among believers regarding the conduct of some senior leaders of the Catholic Church, including Fr. Dr. Charles Kitima and Archbishop Jude Thaddaeus Ruwa’ichi.

Through this reflection, which is increasingly gaining support among many faithful, a collective position is being formed emphasizing that the Church is not an individual person, neither a priest nor a bishop, but a community of believers. The faithful argue that Church leaders are not above the Gospel, nor above the believers they are called to serve.

In his reflection, Ludovick Joseph and those who support his views insist that questioning, criticizing, or calling for an investigation into the conduct of a Church leader is neither rebellion, nor sin, nor hatred, but a fundamental right recognized within the Canon Law of the Catholic Church.

“The Church is holy because of Christ, but its leaders are human beings with limitations and are capable of making mistakes. No leader is above the Gospel,” said Ludovick Joseph.

The faithful have also expressed serious concern over what they describe as the use of insulting, mocking, and abusive language by some Church leaders toward believers. They stress that the altar is not a platform for anger or humiliation, but a sacred place for teaching, healing, and building the community of believers through love, humility, and wisdom.

Quoting the Holy Scriptures, the reflection notes that contemptuous language has no place in Christian teaching. A spiritual leader, they say, is called to preach with grace, prudence, and respect for all the faithful.

Furthermore, the faithful remind the Church of Gospel teachings that call on the Church to examine and correct itself before criticizing society or the nation. They cite Matthew 7:3–5, which speaks of removing the “log” from one’s own eye before noticing the “speck” in another’s, describing this as the moral foundation that gives the Church legitimacy to raise a prophetic voice against the evils of the world.

The reflection also raises serious concerns about the involvement of the Church in partisan politics. It warns that such involvement divides the faithful, erodes the Church’s moral authority, and threatens the unity of both the Church and the nation. On this basis, the faithful argue that the involvement, or perceived involvement, of Church leaders in party politics is a moral mistake that requires deep reflection and urgent correction.

In a position that appears to be gaining strength, the faithful have expressed support for the move to submit a letter to the Apostolic Nuncio (Vatican Ambassador) in Tanzania, calling for an investigation into the conduct of Fr. Dr. Charles Kitima. They emphasize that this step is fully in line with Canon Law, is intended to protect the dignity and integrity of the Church, and is not an act of rebellion but a Christian duty of accountability.

The reflection concludes with a strong message to the leadership of the Catholic Church in Tanzania, stressing that spiritual authority is a form of service, not domination.

“To protect the Church is to protect the truth, not to defend an individual’s mistakes,” the faithful state, reminding that the Body of Christ has many members, and that every believer has both the right and the responsibility to protect their Church with courage, love, and truth.