AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - “Clear signs of hope are appearing, however we must act with strength in fighting the plague of AIDS and poverty.”

Maputo (Agenzia Fides) – “We support and encourage those who are working in the peace effort. May they do their best so that all Mozambicans may have life and have it to the full,” the Bishops of Mozambique said in a message on the social life of the country, which was also sent to Agenzia Fides.
Analyzing the situation in Mozambique, the Bishops realize that there are “many signs of hope, as a result of effective decisions made by leaders in public affairs on behalf of all peoples, for which we are grateful.”
“Therefore, we welcome with approval the decision made by the Mozambican Government to fight against poverty, which is still a burdensome and painful reality in our country. As a result of these political decisions, we have witnessed an improvement in communications, through construction, maintenance, and restoration of roadways and bridges, the increase in social infrastructures with particular emphasis on school networks, further additions to higher learning institutions and the construction of high schools and universities in all the country’s provinces. The same is occurring in the telephone and electronics field. Lastly, there is the praiseworthy expansion in the health network, in some cases on the part of the State and in other cases, it is thanks to the support of other institutions, such as the Catholic Church.”
The Bishops continued, saying, “we are also pleased to see the promotion of national pride as an important condition for making Mozambicans realize that they are the primary agents in national development, the ones responsible for their own destiny, including when they must accept the aid and collaboration of others. This does not excuse them from the responsibility that each of them has in working toward the common good.” Among the major figures in this “renaissance” of Mozambique, are women. “We have observed that in our country there are many women working in various areas and commitments. In fact, Mozambique is known for having one of the highest levels of female participation in activities in promotion of the common good. The feminine population of Mozambique, however, become more visible, especially in the unique and irreplaceable role of the women as educators for present and future generations, and in many cases, as the primary producers and providers of domestic goods and services for the good of the entire family.”
The Bishops’ Conference express their concern for the frequent natural disasters that strike the country and ask that the government make a greater effort in preventing them and in facing the aftermath. There has also been a rampant spread of AIDS, especially due to the many children that contract the disease from their mother. The Bishops ask that the government provide the adequate medicine to the sick and begin the production of retroviral treatments. They also recall the Church’s position for preventing further spread of the HIV virus: sexual responsibility, abstinence for those who are not married, and matrimonial fidelity. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 11/6/2008)