AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE “The light of Christ uplifts and gives meaning to the suffering caused by recent disasters in our country”: Catholic Bishops of Mozambique assure local Church's commitment to assist victims

Maputo (Agenzia Fides)- “As disciples of Our Lord Jesus Christ and Bishops of his Church we cannot fail to express sincere human and Christian solidarity with our brothers and sisters affected by these tragedies” the Bishops of Mozambique said in a message to express sympathy with the victims of recent floods, a cyclone and an explosion at the Malhazine munitions store in Maputo (see Fides 23 and 26 March 2007). The message was made public at the end of a meeting of the Bishops' Conference (see Fides 9 May 2007).
In the past three months Mozambique has been affected by a series of disasters which left a trail of death and destruction: violent flash floods in the central region of the country Manica, Sofala, Tete and Zambezia, a cyclone, accompanied by torrential rains, which struck first in the northern area of Inhambane and then further south in Sofala; and the tragic explosion during the night 22 March of the country's main munitions store in Maputo the capital which left 100 dead, many injured and thousands of homeless. Besides these tragedies the Bishops recall "flooding in the north east when the River Manda and Lake Nassa overflowed not to mention, flash floods which devastated the coastal region from Ponta de Ouro fino to Cabo Delgado”.
In the face of these tragedies “the light of Christ who conquered all suffering and the tragedy of death on the Cross, uplifts and gives meaning to all this suffering”.
Faith in the light of Christ is expressed in concrete acts of solidarity: “On the occasion of such tragedies the local Church immediately co-operates with efforts to rescue and assist the victims. Church institutions like Caritas, Christian communities and individual Catholics have been working in co-operation with government institutions to resettle victims in the different provinces of the vast national territory ”.
“In this same ecclesial spirit of human and Christian solidarity - the document continues - archdiocese of Maputo has launched a fund-raising campaign in aid of the Maputo victims", and the Bishops remind the authorities that "the affected people must receive compensation”.
The Bishops conclude urging all Christians, all men and women of good will, and government friends of Mozambique to continue to help the country at this difficult time. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/5/2007 righe 37 parole 465)