(Photo: Aid to the Church in Need)
In a call for peace and unity, church leaders in northern Mozambique are urging an end to violence after a historic church fell victim to an attack by militants. The incident occurred in Cabo Delgado Province, where St Louis de Montfort parish was targeted.
During the assault on Thursday, April 30, armed insurgents reportedly set fire to church structures, damaged a kindergarten, and ravaged the priests’ residence in the village of Minhoene, near Meza.
Although the attack resulted in no casualties, local informants told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that militants associated with Islamic State: Central Africa Province were behind the destruction.
Archbishop Inácio Saure, President of Mozambique’s Bishops’ Conference, condemned the violence, urging an end to religiously motivated aggression. He emphasized, “Let the destruction and the killing cease,” and cautioned against viewing Muslims as adversaries, stating, “The Muslims are not our enemies, they are our beloved brethren.”
Archbishop Saure highlighted that such acts of violence are in stark contrast to Mozambique’s tradition of religious coexistence.
The aftermath of the attack left the community in shock, with church officials describing significant devastation. Bishop António Juliasse reported major destruction, noting that the attack left residents traumatized.
“It was a scene of terror,” he remarked. “Homes, infrastructure, all destroyed.” Additionally, civilians were reportedly detained and subjected to extremist rhetoric before the militants departed.
St Louis de Montfort parish, established in 1946, has historically served as a Catholic hub in a predominantly Muslim area of northern Mozambique. The parish is maintained by Cameroonian missionary priests, who were not present during the raid.
Although the clergy were unharmed, Bishop Juliasse shared with ACN that the local Christian population remains heavily affected by the ordeal.
Since the insurgency in Cabo Delgado began in 2017, over 6,300 lives have been lost, and at least one million people have been displaced. The insurgent group, known locally as Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah or Al-Shabab, is linked to Islamic State: Central Africa Province, differing from the Somali and Kenyan group of the same name.
ACN reports indicate that no fewer than 118 Christian worship sites have been destroyed by jihadists. Despite ongoing attacks, Bishop Juliasse affirmed, “For nine years, we have watched the insurgents burn chapels and churches in the Diocese of Pemba. But the faith of God’s people will never burn.”
Continuing its efforts, ACN supports communities in Mozambique with humanitarian aid and trauma recovery initiatives.
Bishop Juliasse called for increased awareness and support, urging, “We ask for attention and solidarity for the victims of Meza.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
