Tanzania: Many churches have a tendency of having Sunday Schools for children. But in Catholic, parents who go with their children for prayers end up only being distracted by them as the mass continues.

It is reported that, now, many parents, although not Pentecostal are opting to take children to Pentecostal church in order to attend Sunday School.

According to her, this will occupy the children.

“It’s better for our church to copy what other churches are doing. Let the children’s programmes be introduced for those below eight years or those who haven’t got their first communion.”

Daniel John doesn’t find any fault in having no Sunday school but rests the blame entirely on parents.

“Parents haven’t shown willingness to take their children to mass in the evenings. That is why children sleep and make noise on Sundays,” says 11-year-old Daniel.

Daniel further sees no reason to introduce Sunday Schools since the church has mass for children.

“Parents should convince their children to start attending children’s mass where we get different preaching including mass itself,” says a nine-year-old Lilian Masawe.

On the other hand, Catherine Mosha, 12, says, letting children pray with their children reduces the effectiveness of prayers.

“But the first church should be the family. If parents don’t pray at home, then their children will end up not knowing anything,” she says.

Bernard Rakwaia concurs with Catherine that prayers should start at home, but disagrees with the notion of sending Catholic children to Pentecostal churches.

“Children going to Pentecostal churches will not learn anything but only to pray like Pentecostals because we have our own ethics as a church for the children to follow,” says Bernard and adds, “It is also recommended that parents take their children with them to church to instil a culture of discipline while praying.”

Bernard also thinks children praying in their domains may increase the chances of followers getting married to members of the same domain.

However, the Roman Catholic secretary Antony Makwele, admits to have no Sunday School, but having spiritual trainings for children and children’s mass programme in its place.

On top of that, he adds, children too have holy programmes where they are exposed to different trainings, seminars and pray every Sunday.

“We also have two years of training where the child is prepared to get the first communion that involves sacrament. We also have religious classes in different schools from primary to high school.

It will be good if parents can take their children for mass because we don’t have plans of starting Sunday Schools. We believe our children get and learn many things in our already existing programmes,” concludes Antony.