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In an interview in Lisbon, Portugal, with pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), Bishop António Juliasse of the Mozambican diocese of Pemba says that the Church is doing what it can to handle the effects of increasing attacks in the north, but that ideally this should be a joint effort, involving different sectors.
First, fight poverty
Until now, the Government’s response to the violence, which has caused close to 4,000 deaths, has been focused on force, but the bishop believes this is not sufficient.
The Diocese of Pemba covers most of Cabo Delgado. The northernmost province of Mozambique has been the hardest hit by the violence that began in 2017, but the recent attack in the neighboring province of Nampula proves that the insurgency is spreading south.
The fight against terrorism, says Bishop Juliasse, should begin by trying to solve rampant poverty and corruption. “We are surrounded by poverty and corruption. The scarce opportunities there tend to go to a privileged few, who are closer to the decision-making centers. The youth feel this injustice and they rise up against it.”
A life given to Mozambique
The latest major attack by the Islamic terrorists, whom authorities fear may have been infiltrated by the Islamic State, was against the Catholic mission of Chipene. The whole mission was destroyed. Most of the students of the boarding school were away at the time, but an 83-year-old Italian nun was shot in the head.
Bishop Juliasse told ACN that Comboni missionary Sister Maria de Coppi is regarded as a martyr, for a lifetime of dedication to the people of Mozambique. Fortunately, the rest of the missionaries and young boarders managed to escape safely.
The new outburst of violence in Nampula has caused a wave of refugees, estimated at up to 100,000, which brings the total in the country close to one million, according to the Bishop of Pemba. The needs are overwhelming.
Thank you, ACN
The Church has been doing what it can to help, Bishop Juliasse explains, but outside assistance is needed. “Charity is part of our mission, part of the Gospel. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who cooperate with ACN, donating money for the benefit of the displaced, the malnourished children, who cannot go to school, and of all those who suffered violence and need psychological and social support in Mozambique.”
ACN has been partnering with the local Church in the Muslim-majority north of Mozambique since the beginning of the insurgency, helping it to provide emergency and pastoral assistance to displaced populations.
This article was written by ACN's Paulo Aido.
