The bishops met in the local Episcopal Conference of Tanzania (Tanzania Episcopal Conference, TEC). Founded in 1956, the Episcopal Conference has been officially recognized by the government in 1957. It includes all the Catholic bishops of the country, ordinary, and auxiliary emeritus. Its headquarters are located in the capital Dar es Salaam. The statutes of the Conference have been approved by the Holy See on January 8, 1980.The TEC is a member of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) and Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).The TEC consists of the following institutions: the Plenary Assembly, the Permanent Council, the Secretary-General, eight departments, three research units, eight commissions. The authority and respo