How An Archbishop, A Priest and Colorado Catholics Built a 15-Year Friendship with a Parish in Tanzania

In brief

Archbishop Emeritus Samuel J. Aquila, Father James Spahn, and Catholics from Northern Colorado have spent 15 years supporting a mission community and building schools in Tanzania.

Father Spahn, the pastor of St. John Paul II Parish in Thornton, and Archbishop Emeritus Aquila have worked alongside Father Rafael Kabuche, a parochial vicar, to assist the local community. Recent efforts include the construction of a new boys' high school at Kristo. According to Denver Catholic, these long-term efforts have allowed the Colorado supporters to find spiritual value in their relationship with the Tanzanian parish.