Mozambique’s Catholic Bishops commend their counterparts in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe for their solidarity demonstrated through a three-day Prayer Initiative. This initiative aimed to promote peace following violent unrest after the October 2024 elections. The Bishops expressed that this spiritual support brings hope in the face of escalating violence and political turmoil, while also highlighting the necessity of non-violence amid these challenges.
The Catholic Bishops of Mozambique have expressed profound gratitude towards their counterparts in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe for their solidarity demonstrated through a three-day Prayer Initiative aimed at fostering peace in Mozambique. In a statement disseminated on January 8, the Bishops’ Conference of Mozambique (CEM) stated that the prayers were a source of hope amidst a backdrop of violence following the October 9 presidential elections. The statement noted, “Your message dated December 31, 2024, in which you express your solidarity with the Mozambican people and the Catholic Church in Mozambique, encourages us and gives us hope at a time when the post-election crisis is worsening.”
Street protests erupted in Mozambique as citizens contested the electoral commission’s announcement of the ruling party, Frelimo, extending its long-standing dominance. Opposition factions, including the newly formed Podemos Party, rejected the electoral outcomes, alleging electoral fraud. The violence has resulted in over 130 reported deaths from clashes with law enforcement, prompting the Constitutional Council to affirm Frelimo’s victory, which has persisted since the country’s independence in 1975.
Amidst these tensions, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of CEAST organized a Vigil for Peace that included the prayers from Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe. Fr. Celestino Epalanga, during the Eucharistic celebration, emphasized the detrimental cycle of violence, stating, “Violence breeds more violence, causing suffering, anguish, and forced migration. Violence is not the remedy for our fractured world.” He urged reflections on the impacts of violence on vulnerable populations in Mozambique, highlighting the significance of choosing non-violence as a means to promote peace.
The ongoing political unrest in Mozambique stems from contentious presidential election results announced on October 9, 2024. The ruling party, Frelimo, has faced allegations of electoral fraud, which have ignited protests and resulted in tragic violence, leaving over 130 individuals dead in subsequent clashes. Following these events, the Catholic Church, as a prominent institution advocating for peace, has mobilized support from bishops in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, illustrating the regional solidarity among Catholic communities. The recent Triduum Prayer Initiative reflects a collective aspiration for peace amidst rising tensions in Mozambique, fostering unity and hope within the afflicted nation.
The solidarity expressed by the Catholic Bishops in Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe serves as a beacon of hope for Mozambique amid its ongoing political strife. The prayers highlighted the importance of unity and the collective commitment to peace within the region. As the situation unfolds, the emphasis on non-violence and communal support remains crucial for healing and restoration in Mozambique, underscoring the powerful role of faith in confronting societal challenges.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
