Maputo, 24 August, 2020 / 10:29 pm (ACI Africa).
Catholic Bishops in the Southern African nation of Mozambique have, in their latest Pastoral Letter circulated August 23, recalled the pastoral visit of Pope Francis to their country last year.
In the letter dated August 20, the Bishops recall the Holy Father’s September 4-6 2019 visit that took place under the theme, “Hope, Peace, and Reconciliation.”
They highlight the “joy and gratitude that the Mozambican Church still attaches to the historic visit,” which they note came months after Cyclone Idai and Cyclone Kenneth had devastated the country.
Cyclone Idai hit the country on March 14, 2019, while Cyclone Kenneth struck a few weeks later on April 25. Both storms caused extensive flash floods that resulted in displacement of people, loss of lives as well as massive destruction of property and crops.
In the letter addressed to the faithful and people of goodwill, the Prelates express their gratitude to Pope Francis for his continued solidarity and prayers for the people affected by the ongoing jihadist crisis in Cabo Delgado Province, which is within the Catholic Diocese of Pemba.