Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maputo (Agenzia Fides) – “As Pastors of the local Church in our country, we wish to manifest our profound concern for the situation of the relatives of Mozambican residents in the neighboring country of South Africa,” the Bishops of Mozambique declared in a message condemning the xenophobe violence being suffered by the immigrant community in South Africa, among whom are many Mozambicans.
“In the series of barbaric and intolerant acts instigated by some groups of South African citizens, over 40 Mozambicans were killed for no reason and another 30,000 were forced to suddenly return to their country of origin, completely deprived of their possessions, taking with them only the weight of moral and physical suffering,” the message sent to the Agenzia Fides said. “We are facing acts of xenophobia that do not tolerate the person who is different, thus violating the Lord’s commandment to live in peace with one another, in equality and diversity. Love the stranger, because you were also strangers in the land of Egypt.”
“In an effort to understand the origin of this wave of violence, we can see that among other things, the situation seems to be caused by a deterioration of social conditions, the unequal distribution of wealth, the work force’s use of low-cost labor of foreigners that leads to low employment rates and unjust wages for South Africans themselves. Moreover, the wealth generated in South Africa, which is not a small quantity, does not appear to be equally distributed. The good life dreamed of by the South African people with the end of Apartheid is still not a reality,” the Bishops said. “We believe that the xenophobia and all forms of extremism constitute a grave offense to God, as they violate the dignity of the human person. For this reason, in this moment of suffering and mourning for the Mozambican people, we express our heartfelt solidarity with all our brothers and sisters who have fallen victim to the xenophobia in South Africa. We pray to God for the eternal rest of the souls of our brethren who have died as a result of this wave of violence. May we also be supportive of all those who fight and make so many efforts in South Africa as well as in neighboring countries on an international level, so that the laws of healthy co-existence among human beings may be respected and that conditions of welcome and respect be maintained towards all those who have been affected by the violence.”
The Bishops’ Conference of Mozambique expresses its appreciation for the efforts being made by the governments of both countries in helping the victims and thanks the Church in South Africa for the help it has offered. “We thank the Church in South Africa and ask them to increase their efforts in offering assistance to immigrants, with all the pastoral care they need.”
“We ask our beloved Mozambican people to remain calm and to avoid any provocation or manifestation of violence. “No to violence! No to xenophobia!,” the Bishops conclude. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 2/6/2008)
