For Father Patrick Kung’alo, this is his fourth visit to Australia, while for Father Octavian Msimbe and Father Medard Kunambi, this is their first time to the country.

They arrived in Port Pirie and enjoyed their first taste of Australian culture watching the AFL grand final.

Father Msimbe said he enjoyed watching the game but it looked very dangerous and he would not like to try to play the sport himself.

The priests are here for pastoral service by invitation of the former Bishop of Port Pirie, Bishop Eugene Hurley.

The visit came about after Father Kung’alo’s six-month visit in 2005, when Bishop Hurley showed interest in having priests from Father Kung’alo’s diocese, Morogoro, come to Port Pirie.

Bishop Telephor Mkude of Morogoro agreed it would be beneficial for two priests from his diocese to complete pastoral work for two years in Australia.

Father Kung’alo will be in Port Pirie until November 22 to help Father Kunambi and Father Msimbe settle in and with their orientation.

The priests will be working in parishes, visiting the sick and local schools.

Father Kunambi said he enjoys gardening and that so far, Port Pirie seems like a very good place. Father Msimbe said one cultural difference he has noticed is congregations here are much quieter than back home in Tanzania.

“In Tanzania, there is lots of singing and dancing, something that is missing here,” he said.

The low number of young people attending services has also been noticed by Father Msimbe, who said that working with the young is an activity he is looking forward to taking on.

Father Monaghan said the visits are an exchange of faith and life and that there is lots to be learnt on both sides.

The three priests have attended mass and met people in Port Germein, Port Pirie and Crystal Brook.

Tanzania is the only African country with one common language, Swahili, which Father Kung’alo said is an asset to the country as it promotes peace and unity. He said that Tanzania is the most peaceful country in Africa.

“Tanzania is an island of peace in a continent of conflict.”