One Year since Pope Francis Visited Mozambique, Church Fosters Renewed Social Commitment

It is the same theme that was chosen for the visit of Pope Francis, with contents modified to include reflections on COVID-19 experiences in the country.

CEM is implementing this year’s Faith and Social Commitment initiative in partnership with MISEREOR, the German Catholic Bishops’ entity for development corporation that has, over the years, facilitated the realization of a number of social projects in Mozambique. 

The celebration “is a way of remembering and raising once again our gratitude for the presence and message of Pope Francis in Mozambique,” Sr. Marinês told ACI Africa August 30.

Pope Francis made his second Apostolic trip to sub-Saharan Africa last year, visiting Mozambique, Madagascar and the Mauritian Islands from 4 to 10 September.

This was the second time that Mozambique played host to a Pope, the first having been the visit by Pope John Paul II in 1986. 

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Addressing Bishops, Clergy, Seminarians, Religious men and women, the Consecrated and Catechists in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo on 5 September 2019, Pope Francis invited the people of God in the Southern African nation to avoid being part of conflicts and divisions, but instead go out of their way to visit others and to encourage dialogue and solutions.

“The Church in Mozambique is invited to be the Church of the Visitation,” Pope Francis said, adding that the Church in Mozambique “cannot be part of the problem of rivalry, disrespect and division that pits some against others, but instead a door to solutions, a space where respect, interchange and dialogue are possible.”

“You, at least the older ones among you, witnessed how division and conflict ended in war. You must always be ready to ‘visit’ to shorten distances,” like Mary did at the visitation to her cousin Elizabeth, Pope Francis said at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Archdiocese of Maputo September 5.

On the same day, the Holy Father encouraged young people of different faiths in Mozambique to not give up in the face of their country’s challenges, but to confront them with joy and hope.

“How do you make your dreams come true? How do you help to solve your country’s problems?” the Pope asked September 5, repeating questions asked him by Mozambican young people.

He continued, “My words to you are these. Do not let yourselves be robbed of joy. Keep singing and expressing yourselves in fidelity to all the goodness that you have learned from your traditions. Let no one rob you of your joy!”

The Secretary of CEM’s Episcopal Commission for Migrants, Refugees and Displaced Persons told ACI Africa that the social week is not exclusive to just Catholics but inclusive of all who desire it, “since the apostolic visit of Pope Francis was a blessing for all regardless of religious profession.”

“The current social political context in Mozambique invites everyone to do their best so that hope, peace and reconciliation find in every citizen a fertile ground to produce lasting results,” Sr. Marinês further said.

To guide the ongoing reflection week, materials including posters and pamphlets were produced and sent to all the Dioceses of the country through the coordinators and collaborators of the different pastoral Centres for reflection and prayer in the parishes and communities, Sr. Marinês told ACI Africa.