An Italian nun was among the victims of a terrorist attack in the city of Chipene, Mozambique, on Tuesday. Sister Maria De Coppi was 84 years old and had served as a missionary in Mozambique since 1963.
According to Reuters, a group of insurgents tore through Chipene while fleeing from a joint force of soldiers from Mozambique, Rwanda, and the Southern African Development Community. In a statement, Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi noted that they took the lives of Sr. Maria and six others before setting fires to residences:
The attack
Vatican News reports that the attack occurred in the late evening of September 6. The assailants gained entry to the compound of Comboni Mission of Chipene and entered the nun’s living quarters. It was then that they executed Sister Maria, shooting her in the head.
After this they set fire to much of the mission facility, including the Catholic church, residence, and hospital. In the ensuing chaos, two other nuns and a priest were reported to have escaped the fire and the terrorists unscathed.
Now, Sister Maria is being mourned by the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus. Sr. Enza Carini, Secretary General of the community, said in a statement:
Sister Maria
Sister Maria De Coppi is remembered for her unfaltering dedication to her mission, even in the face of armed conflict, which has plagued Mozambique for decades.
In a 2021 interview with the Italian publication L'Azione, Sr. Maria recalled being present in the nation for many armed conflicts and tending to the people of Nampula province throughout times of hardship. She said:
Vatican News has comments from Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, head of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI). Expressing his condolences, Cardinal Zuppi said:
