Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
OC
Beira (Fides News Agency) – “The Diocese of Quelimane learned with profound sadness the news of the attack and arson that affected the parish of St. Louis de Montfort in Meza on Thursday, April 30. The situation is very serious; people are frightened, and we are all united in prayer.” This is what Bishop Osório Citora Afonso of the Diocese of Quelimane stated in a telephone conversation with Fides. These days, the bishop, a Consolata missionary, is in Beira for meetings with local staff in his capacity as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese, appointed by Pope Leo XIV on April 10, 2026.
Upon receiving news of the serious terrorist attack in which the parish of St. Louis de Montfort in Meza was destroyed, and in which at least 22 people were kidnapped by suspected terrorists from the district of Ancuabe, in the province of Cabo Delgado, Bishop Osório contacted António Juliasse, Bishop of Pemba, and Fathers Marc, André, and Florence, Piarist missionaries from Cameroon who work in the affected parish, to express his full solidarity.
“In this moment of pain and trial, we give thanks to God for the safety of the missionary staff, but we mourn with the Diocese of Pemba for the destruction of the House of the Lord, a monument of faith built in 1946, and all the damage caused,” Bishop Osório stated in his message. “You can count on our prayers, the solidarity of the Church of Quelimane, and our fraternal communion. May the Good Shepherd console this people and convert hearts hardened by hatred. We are united in the cross and in the hope of the Resurrection, as we denounce this terrorist violence and pray for peace for this martyred land.” (AP) (Fides News Agency, 4/5/2026)
OC
