Pope and African bishops decry murder of Mozambican prelate
Bishop Osório Citora Afonso was a friend and collaborator of ACN, and the foundation has expressed its deep sorrow with his death.
Two days after the murder of the bishop of Quelimane, in Mozambique, reactions continue to pour in, though motives for the killing remain a mystery.
On Sunday the Vatican press office released a statement from Leo XIV, currently visiting Spain, which states that he “learned with deep sorrow of the grave act of violence that led to the death of His Excellency Osório Citora Afonso.”
The note adds that the Pope is “united in prayer with the people of the diocese and of Mozambique,” and prays that “the Lord may grant them consolation, that He may keep every man and woman in His love and restrain the hand of the violent.”
Mozambican authorities continue to investigate what happened in the early hours of Saturday morning in Quelimane, when the bishop was found shot in the chest, near the heart, in a corridor of his residence. Investigators believe the perpetrators scaled the wall of the building, disabled the security system and fired shots using a military-grade weapon described by the Mozambican National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) as a modernized Kalashnikov (AK-M).
African bishops speak of “heinous act”
The crime sent shock waves through the Church of Mozambique, and indeed all of Africa. The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) published a statement, signed by Cardinal Fridoline Ambongo and sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) calling the murder an “act of barbarism” and calling for a full and thorough investigation.
“This heinous act, committed against a pastor of God’s people, constitutes not only an attack on the life and dignity of a devout servant of the Gospel, but also an assault on the fundamental values of peace, justice, human dignity, and religious freedom – essential principles for the well-being and development of any society.”
“We vehemently and unreservedly condemn this barbaric crime. No religious leader, regardless of their faith or denomination, should be a target of violence. Those who dedicate their lives to serving God and promoting reconciliation, solidarity, education, charity, and the common good deserve protection and respect, not persecution and death,” the statement reads.
“On behalf of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), we call upon the Government of the Republic of Mozambique and all competent authorities to conduct an immediate, thorough, transparent, and independent investigation into this crime. We demand that all those responsible, whether direct perpetrators, accomplices, or masterminds, be identified, prosecuted, and brought to justice without delay. The people of Mozambique, the Catholic Church, and the International Community deserve the truth.”
The African bishops call for heightened protection for all pastoral workers, highlighting that “religious freedom is a fundamental human right and a pillar of any democratic and peaceful society. The State has a solemn responsibility to ensure that all citizens can practice their faith freely and safely, without fear of intimidation, violence, or persecution.”
ACN recalls “fruitful collaboration”
Bishop Osório Citora Afonso was a dear friend of ACN, with which he had a fruitful collaboration.
These close ties were highlighted by Ulrich Kny, one of ACN’s project managers for Africa, in a letter sent on Sunday to leading figures in the Mozambican Church. The letter highlights the “indelible mark” that the late bishop left on all those who “had the great fortune to work with him”, and describes a “very fruitful collaboration which allowed us to participate in some of his interesting initiatives in support of the Church in Mozambique.”
Ulrich Kny reaffirms the foundation’s shock with the news of the murder of the bishop, which leaves “a great void”, not only in his diocese but throughout the Church in this Portuguese-speaking African country.
ACN wishes Church leaders in Mozambique “much strength and the Lord’s blessings so that they may continue to lead their faithful along the Lord’s path”.
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