Interview with our Parish Priest
Our Parish has just passed an important milestone. We have been together now for a little over five years, and although many people have come and gone, during their time here, they helped it to grow and flourish. However, there is one person on whom, we can all agree, has been a constant in that journey from the beginning, our priest Father Aquilin!
So after five years as a community, we thought it was time to sit down and ask some questions to learn a little more about him.
Which country were you born in?
I was born in a village called Manda East in the district of Rombo, which is a region of Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania.
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yes I have 5 brothers and 3 sisters. I was the fifth child to be born.
Where did you go to school?
I went to the local Primary and Secondary Schools in Moshi and attended
6th Form College in Arusha. I then studied Philosophy for 2 Years at the Institute of Philosophy in Arusha.
When were you called to the priesthood?
After my studies I spent 1 year as a Novitiate in Tanga a region which lies on the Umbara Mountain in Tanzania. I then went to study for 4 years, Theology at the University of Tangaza in Nairobi, Kenya. However after my first 2 years I was sent on a 1 year Mission Experience to Zambia and it was during this time that I really felt my calling to be a missionary. Upon my return I completed my studies and was shortly after ordained a priest. I was sent for a missionary appointment in Guinea Bissau.
Can you please explain to us the difference between a Regular and a Secular Priest?
I am a Missionary Priest, and I belong to a religious congregation. I belong to a congregation called The Spiritans formerly known as The Holy Ghost Fathers. We take vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
A secular priest is a diocesan priest who does not live according to a rule of a religious order, society, or congregation of priests. He is a priest who does not take religious vows or lives a community life, while a religious priest are bound by their rules of their congregations to live a community life.
Where were you ordained and following this where were you placed before coming to Germany?
I was ordained in the Holy Family Parish in Arusha, Tanzania on 21st May 1994 and a year after sent to work in the small country of Guinea Bissau, which is located on the West coast of Africa , returning to Tanzania in 2003.
What were your first impressions of Germany and how long have you been here?
I arrived in Germany in December 2004, it was very cold! The German lifestyle is very different in comparison to the African way of living. Even as a Priest, the way in which Pastoral work is done is not the same. All I can really say is that they love their bureaucracy!
What do you like to do in your free time?
When time allows and when the weather is good I really enjoy going for long walks in the forest near to where I live and tending to my little patch of garden, where I am in the midst of planting tomatoes, onions and some herbs for the summer!
You have mentioned to us previously that you are a patron of a Charity in Tanzania – Can you tell us about it? Where can we find further information? Your plans for its future?
As part of our Volunteer Programme in Botnang, a young lady by the name of Maria, a nurse was sent to help in a small community town called Ngoyoni, which is located near to the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. Whilst visiting the area, she presented me with a list of children, whose parents had died of AIDS or illnesses relating to it. These children had been left without any proper care or education. Having returned to Germany, I realised that something needed to be done to help them. So I sought the help of 5 parishes in the local area who helped to raise awareness and indeed donated money through the Sternsinger Aktion” Building work began in 2010. A group of friends visited Tanzania that summer and came back wanting to help, this was when the Charity Bila Mipaka/Ohne Grenze was formed and it took over 3 years to have it formalised! The charity is open to anyone and would urge you to visit the place to see exactly where the money is being put to good use! With your support the children will get a good start to their education so as to guarantee a better future. For further information please contact myself.
We would like to thank Father Aquilin for taking time from his very busy schedule to answer our questions.
