AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE - "Cabo Delgado has become the stage of a mysterious and incomprehensible war", denounce the Bishops

Friday, 29 May 2020 violence jihadists bishops coronavirus

MOZAMBIQUE

2024-03-07
More than 67,000 people fleeing jihadist violence in the north of the country

2024-02-19
Resumption of jihadist attacks in the north, but with a new "modus operandi"

2024-02-13
The refugees from the Corrane refugee camp to Cardinal Tagle: we ask the Pope for prayers so that this war ends and we can return home"

2024-01-11
Cholera misinformation fuels deadly violence in Mozambique

2023-09-22
Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Maputo

2023-09-05
Beatification process for two missionaries murdered in 1985: diocesan phase completed

Maputo (Agenzia Fides) - "We are deeply concerned about the worsening of the situation in Cabo Delgado which has become the stage of a mysterious and incomprehensible war", said the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Nampula in the north Mozambique, a region devastated by the violence of jihadist groups (see Fides, 31/3/2020 and 4/4/2020) in a statement sent to Agenzia Fides.
"The war that started in October 2017 is spreading throughout the Province and with it many other forms of violence and violation of human rights, deteriorating the already precarious living conditions and causing great suffering to the populations", denounced the Bishops.
"The dramatic consequences of this crisis are evident: village fires, destruction of economic and social infrastructure, frightened and hungry populations, families that flee, are confused and disoriented without knowing where to seek shelter and protection", says the statement. "And to make matters worse, the province of Cabo Delgado, already so badly affected, has unfortunately become, in Mozambique, the epicenter of the outbreak of the global pandemic caused by Covid-19".
"As pastors, we want to express our closeness and solidarity with all our brothers and fellow citizens in Cabo Delgado and, at the same time, encourage them to never lose courage and hope in better times. The Risen Christ and winner of the forces of sin and death, assures us that hatred, destruction and death do not have the last word, but the victory of life, justice and love", say the Bishops who express appreciation and recognition "to all those who, inside or out, take and multiply the initiatives to mitigate the suffering of people.
Finally, the Bishops recommend the faithful of the province of Cabo Delgado not to loosen the precautions necessary to prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus. "For the sake of life, ours and of others, we must all strictly observe the containment measures indicated by the health authorities and our government". (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 29/5/2020)