Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quelimane (Fides News Agency) – The Diocese of Quelimane is preparing to celebrate a memorial Mass (thirtieth day after his death), for Bishop Osório Citora, who was murdered on June 6 (see Fides, 6/7/2026). In a statement released by the Director of the Pastoral Coordination Office, Father Raciel Ualaque, the invitation from Apostolic Administrator Estevão Ângelo Fernando to participate in the service, renewed his invitation to the faithful to attend the celebration, which will take place at 6:00 p.m. local time in Quelimane Cathedral.
The Apostolic Administrator also encouraged parishes located farther from the city to join the initiative spiritually by celebrating the same Mass in their respective communities.
On Saturday, July 4, the Diocese had already issued a "Letter of Repudiation" condemning the dissemination, by certain media outlets and through social media, of reports concerning the murder of Bishop Osório. The document, signed by Bishop Estevão Ângelo Fernando and the College of Consultors, criticizes the publication of information which, according to the Diocese, violates the confidentiality of the investigation, anticipates conclusions from inquiries that are still ongoing, and fuels narratives liable to compromise the proper conduct of the investigation.
"The Catholic Church," reads the statement sent to Fides, "defends freedom of the press, but recalls that it must be exercised with ethics, accuracy and responsibility, without substituting itself for the courts or issuing public condemnations before a legally valid verdict."
The Diocese concludes by appealing to the authorities to prosecute any breaches of confidentiality in the investigation, urging media organizations and social media users to refrain from speculation, and calling on the faithful to allow the justice system to carry out its work undisturbed and with due respect for the time required by the legal process. (AP) (Fides News Agency, 6/7/2026)
