“Do not join the prophets of doom”: Apostolic Nuncio in Mozambique to the Consecrated

He expressed confidence in the future of vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life in Mozambique, saying, “Thanks to the virtue of hope, we believe there will be many vocations and much joy. But we also trust that this growth will be accompanied by improved formation and vocational discernment.”

Regarding concerns about leadership in multi-cultural Religious communities, Archbishop Muñoz expressed optimism. He said, “We are hopeful that outdated and unchristian mentalities such as domination, control, rivalry, machismo, and servility will be abandoned.”

“We trust that, in the future, abuse of power, psychological manipulation, false mysticism, and even sexual abuse will disappear completely and forever from Consecrated Life, both in Mozambique and around the world,” the representative of the Holy Father in Mozambique.

He encouraged the Consecrated to draw inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary, calling her “Our Lady of Hope.”

“To her, we entrust all consecrated men and women in Mozambique, asking for her intercession in this Jubilee of Hope,” Archbishop Muñoz said.

He went on to lauded the dedication of women and men Religious to the service of the poor but cautioned them against confusing their prophetic mission with political activism. 

“You give yourselves generously in the name of Christ to the service of the poor and marginalized. But please, do not mistake the true prophetic mission of Consecrated Life for political engagement. That is not your calling,” the Apostolic Nuncio warned.

He also emphasized the distinctive roles women and men Religious and the Laity play, saying, “The laity must work to transform social and political structures in light of the Gospel. The mission of the Consecrated, however, is even deeper; to show the world that structural change alone is not enough if the human heart remains unchanged.”