WAWATA: ROMAN SOLDIERS AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS?

Adeladius Makwega —Mbagala, Dar es Salaam, travelling to Chamwino, Dodoma.

 

Recently, leaders of the Catholic Women of Tanzania (WAWATA) were reported by Tanzanian and international media outlets, including Vatican Radio, to have issued a statement concerning the use of the WAWATA emblem. According to these reports, no individual, company, or group is permitted to use the emblem without authorization. The production, printing, and sale of products bearing the emblem must follow the approval procedures established by the relevant leadership. It was also reported that legal action could be taken against unauthorized use.

Mwanakwetu remembers encountering these reports on 23 October 2026, when he saw Catholic women addressing the media and explaining their position. The matter made him pause and reflect deeply.

 

His thoughts returned to the history of Christianity, particularly the stories told by our elders in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. They told us that, in the past, during marriage preparation classes, the catechist was required to go to the priest to collect the clothes that the bride and groom were expected to wear on their wedding day so that they would appear neat and presentable.

 

As Mwanakwetu recalled these stories, several questions began to arise in his mind. These women, our sisters and mothers in the faith, were emphasizing the importance of registering the WAWATA emblem and requiring its use to be authorized by the national leadership.

 

Mwanakwetu therefore asked himself: Is it right for Catholics today to begin quarrelling over an emblem and clothing?

He answered his own question.

“In my opinion, and according to my understanding of the teachings of the Catholic Church, it is not good for Catholics to quarrel out of anger or hatred over clothing and emblems, to the point of threatening one another with arrest or legal proceedings over a garment or a product bearing an emblem. This matter deserves serious reflection, especially when we remember that many Christian families are facing numerous challenges that require our love, solidarity, and support.”

 

Mwanakwetu is not suggesting that there should be no rules governing the use of emblems. Far from it! He recognizes the importance of respecting legitimate regulations and protecting an association’s identity. However, he wonders whether every disagreement over clothing and emblems must end in conflict and threats of legal action. Can we not sit together, listen to one another, and seek solutions through dialogue?

 

The Catholic Church teaches the importance of modesty, respect for the human body, and human dignity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2521–2524, discusses modesty and its relationship to social and cultural circumstances. It is therefore appropriate to discuss clothing suitable for worship and Church activities. However, it is not right to humiliate or judge another person simply because of what they wear. Differences of opinion should be resolved with love and understanding.

Likewise, when it comes to the emblems of apostolic groups, communities, choirs, and Church associations, it is important to respect the procedures established by the relevant leadership. Nevertheless, those procedures should be administered fairly, wisely, and in accordance with the Church’s mission.

Mwanakwetu has observed that, in some places, various rules govern the wearing of uniforms by these groups, and that some members may be required to pay fines if they do not wear them. This raises several questions: Were these rules established through the proper procedures? Do members understand them? Does their enforcement take account of members’ circumstances and financial means?

 

These questions do not mean that every uniform requirement or every fine is contrary to Church regulations. Rather, they invite us to consider whether our rules help build unity or become a source of conflict. A uniform should help identify us as members of one group, but it should not become a reason to look down on a member who, for one reason or another, cannot afford to buy one or is unable to wear it on a particular day.

The Bible teaches us in Ephesians 4:2–3 to live with humility, gentleness, and patience, making every effort to maintain unity through the bond of peace. In John 13:35, Jesus teaches that people will recognize His disciples by their love for one another. Romans 14:19 likewise encourages us to pursue what makes for peace and mutual edification.

 

Mwanakwetu therefore believes that clothing and emblems may be important in identifying an association, but they should never become reasons for destroying Christian love and unity.

 

Let us now consider our apostolic groups. In the Catholic Church, among these groups are WAWATA, VIWAWA, and UWAKA. Each has its particular mission and regulations, but all should help the faithful grow in faith, live out Christian love, serve the Church and society, and cooperate in the Church’s mission.

 

The Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law establishes important principles concerning the responsibilities of the faithful and their associations. Canon 208 teaches that all the faithful share equal dignity as Christians and contribute to building up the Body of Christ. Canon 209 emphasizes the duty to maintain communion with the Church, while Canon 211 states that the faithful have a duty to help spread the Gospel throughout the world.

 

Furthermore, Canon 215 recognizes the right of the faithful to establish associations for spiritual and apostolic purposes. Canon 298 discusses associations that seek to foster Christian life, the teaching of the faith, evangelization, and works of charity. Canon 305 addresses the supervision of associations by the legitimate authority of the Church in accordance with the law, while Canon 328 encourages leaders of associations of the lay faithful to cooperate with other associations and support Christian activities.

 

Reflecting on these teachings, Mwanakwetu asks: If our goal is to build up the Body of Christ, why do we sometimes allow minor differences to divide us? If we are called to spread the Gospel and perform works of charity, why should so much time and energy be spent competing over clothing and emblems instead of helping those in need?

 

WAWATA, for its part, has important responsibilities, including strengthening women’s faith and spiritual lives, supporting Christian families, strengthening small Christian communities, performing works of charity for those in need, helping children grow in the faith, participating in Church activities, and contributing to the development of women and society.

 

These responsibilities are substantial and require unity. WAWATA needs Catholic women to work together and encourage those who have not yet become fully involved in the association’s activities. The goal should be to uplift everyone, help members grow in faith, and bring them closer to Christ.

 

In Mwanakwetu’s view, another matter deserves serious reflection: how we use our apostolic associations. Do we use them as instruments for serving God and our neighbours, or do we sometimes turn them into platforms for seeking personal recognition, business opportunities, contracts, and leadership positions?

 

These are questions for self-examination, not accusations against every member or leader. Membership in an apostolic association should help a person grow in faith and serve others. If competition, pride, and the pursuit of personal recognition become more important than service, leaders and members need to reconsider their priorities.

 

Regarding the use of emblems without authorization, Mwanakwetu recognizes that the matter should be addressed through appropriate procedures. However, leaders might also ask themselves: What circumstances contribute to these conflicts? Do members understand the rules governing the use of the emblem? Is there sufficient communication and consultation? Is there enough opportunity for dialogue before severe measures are considered?

 

The bishop/Priest serving as WAWATA’s ecclesiastical adviser may also help reflect on these questions, in accordance with his responsibilities and the Church’s procedures. The objective is not to undermine the authority of the leadership, but to ensure that such authority is exercised fairly, wisely, and for the benefit of the Church’s mission.

I know that some people may ask: “Mwanakwetu, you belong to UWAKA. Why are you getting involved in WAWATA’s affairs?”

My answer is simple: Unity in the Catholic Church is the responsibility of all the faithful, not just one association. Canon 328 encourages leaders of associations of the lay faithful to cooperate with other associations and support Christian activities. Therefore, discussing challenges that affect unity among apostolic associations does not necessarily mean interfering in another association’s authority. What matters is that such discussions are conducted with good intentions, respect, and honesty.

In raising this issue, Mwanakwetu seeks to encourage reflection and constructive dialogue so that WAWATA, VIWAWA, and UWAKA can continue fulfilling their missions for the benefit of the Church and society.

My sisters and mothers in WAWATA, I now invite you to reflect on an event recounted in John 19:23–24.

These verses explain that after Jesus was crucified, the soldiers took His clothes and divided them into four shares, one for each soldier. However, His inner garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots to see who will get it.”

This event fulfilled the prophecy found in Psalm 22:18, which speaks of the division of garments and the casting of lots for clothing.

Mwanakwetu uses this event as a point of reflection on clothing and the conflicts that may arise around it. I am not claiming that WAWATA’s situation is directly equivalent to that of the Roman soldiers. Rather, I invite us to ask whether we sometimes allow external things to become more important than the love and unity that should identify us as Christians.

My sisters and mothers in WAWATA, when disagreements arise over emblems and clothing, do you first ask whether those disagreements are being resolved in a way that protects everyone’s dignity and the unity of the association? When we gather for Church activities, do we remember that we are all called to follow Christ and serve one another?

Mwanakwetu does not want to see his sisters and mothers in the faith divided over clothing or emblems. He wants to see them working together, helping one another, and finding peaceful ways to resolve their differences. An emblem may identify an association, and a uniform may symbolize the unity of its members, but neither can replace love, faith, and service to God and neighbour.

That is why Mwanakwetu asks once again: WAWATA: Roman Soldiers at the Foot of the Cross?

Do we want to be remembered for our disputes over clothing and emblems, or for our acts of faith, compassion, and love? Do we want future generations to tell stories about how fiercely we defended an emblem, or about how we helped the poor, the sick, widows, orphans, and families in distress?

Mwanakwetu sincerely wishes to see WAWATA grow stronger, Catholic women continue to deepen their faith, and all apostolic associations work together for the mission of the Church.

For today, Mwanakwetu will end here. I have chosen to speak to my mothers and sisters in WAWATA with the intention of encouraging reflection and strengthening solidarity within their association and throughout the Church. I believe that respectful dialogue can help us resolve our differences without losing the love that should identify us as disciples of Christ.

I wish you all a blessed Sunday.

makwadeladius@gmail.com 0717649257

Note: This article is intended for Bi. Aveline Ntenga, Bi. Stella Kahwa, and the other leaders and members of WAWATA, with the aim of encouraging reflection, dialogue, and Christian unity.