Mozambican Archbishop Inácio Saúre condemns the destruction of a Catholic mission in Cabo Delgado, calling for an end to violence and urging peaceful coexistence between religious communities.
By Cremildo Alexandre and Francesca Merlo
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Nampula and President of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM), Archbishop Inácio Saúre, has expressed “deep sorrow” and strong condemnation following a recent attack on the Catholic mission of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, in the Diocese of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado province.
The attack, which took place at the end of April, resulted in the destruction of key religious and social infrastructure, including the parish church, missionaries’ residences, and a small community school, leaving the mission largely destroyed. The mission, founded in 1946 by Montfort missionaries, is considered part of the early history of evangelisation in the region.
In his statement, Archbishop Saúre said he received news of the attack “with profound pain”, describing the “barbaric destruction” of structures serving both the religious and social life of the local community. He noted that the attackers not only burned buildings but also spread “clear and strong messages of hatred against Christians.”
He warned that such actions undermine the foundations of Mozambican society. “This completely contradicts our culture of peaceful coexistence between people of different religious beliefs in Mozambique—our way of being, our way of acting, and our way of living in peace,” he said.
“The God of Abraham, the God of Muhammad, and the God of Jesus Christ is not a God of hatred and violence, but a God of love,” he continued, calling for mutual respect, particularly among followers of the Abrahamic religions.
The Archbishop called for an end to the violence and rejected all forms of religious extremism. He also denounced both anti-Christian hatred and Islamophobia. “Let them cease sowing destruction and death,” he urged, adding that Muslims “are not enemies, but our dearly beloved brothers.”
He further emphasised his conviction that peaceful coexistence is not only possible but necessary, stating that all people, “whether believers or not, must live together in harmony and peace.”
Archbishop Inácio Saúre
The attack comes within the broader context of ongoing insecurity in Cabo Delgado, where an insurgency linked to extremist groups has been active since 2017. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and severely affected access to education, healthcare, and places of worship.
The youth reacts
Young Catholics from the Archdiocese of Nampula also expressed concern over the situation. Henriques Magaza described the attacks as a sign of a loss of spiritual direction.“It is deeply regrettable. We need to return to God, listen to His word, and pray that those responsible may change their ways,” he said.
Nilza Manuel Carlos António offered a message of support to those affected: “Strength to our brothers and sisters who have suffered. Do not lose hope—God sees and will act.”
Youth leader Malito João highlighted that the Church continues its efforts to respond to the social and spiritual challenges facing young people, particularly in areas affected by violence.
In a context marked by ongoing instability in Cabo Delgado, the Catholic Church in Mozambique has reiterated its commitment to peace, interreligious dialogue, and the protection of human dignity.
