AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE – “The population is disoriented” says the Archbishop of Nampula after the assault on the mission and the murder of Sister Maria

AFRICA/MOZAMBIQUE — “The population disorientated” declares the Archbishop at Nampula, following the attack on the mission as well as the murder of Sister Maria

Maputo (Agenzia Fides). His Exc. Msgr. Msgr.
BBC reports that the claim was posted by the jihadist group on Telegram accounts for the Islamic State Province in Central Africa. ISIS claims that the nun was killed because she was too committed to spreading Christianity.
Msgr. says that Sister Maria is a martyr for faith if the statement is true. Saure speaks with Agenzia Fides about his concern that the Nampula province has been attacked by jihadists. His activities have so far been focused on Cabo Delgado, which is nearer to him. “There have been attacks on our province since the beginning of September,” said the Archbishop. “The population is confused and suffers a lot because it lives in uncertainty and doesn’t know what to do. Many are fleeing but don’t know where to go,” says Archbishop Saure. “I spoke with the bishop from Nancala (where Chipene’s mission is located), and he informed me that the military has been sent there by the authorities, but that the population is scared.”
Their concern for the Mozambican bishops has been shared by their South African, Botswana, and Eswatini counterparts of the Episcopal Conference of Southern Africa. They sent condolences for Sister Maria’s death and stated: “We observe with growing worry the first attacks in Nampula provincial on Friday (September 2) at Namapa and last night (9/6) in Chipene. The attacks are moving closer to Nampula.
“Yes – confirms Mr. Suare – We are concerned about the advances of the Jihadists. They could attack Nampula (capital city of the same-named province). “I hope that Sister Maria’s sacrifice will help keep the international attention high on this happening”, he concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 8/9/2022)

Share: