Category: Mozambique Sector Page 3 of 4

News and events of Mozambique Sector of SAP

Casa Cardenal Carlos Lavigerie

This article is coming from our mission corner in Mozambique. We belong to the Southern Africa Province (SAP) together with Zambia, Malawi and South Africa, one of the so called mega-provinces. The country covers more than 800,000 square km, and the population is around 20 million.

Since colonial times, Mozambique has faced many problems such as natural calamities like landslides, floods, bushfire and cyclones. In addition, Mozambique suffered a civil war which lasted for 16 years and which wrecked the country’s economy. The impact of that internal conflict is still being felt. Despite all these catastrophes, the country is potentially rich in natural resources like natural gas, coal, fertile land and more than 2.500 km of coastline on the Indian Ocean. (…)

The Pre-1st Cycle Programme

Our programme lasts for 2 years. In fact, when the students finish their secondary school, they are selected by a team of three confreres. They are then admitted to the Pre-1st Cycle Programme which lasts for a period of 17 months. After this, they are presented to the staff of Balaka, our Philosophy Centre in Malawi. READ FULL TEXT HERE

La Maison Cardinal Charles Lavigerie au Mozambique

Cet article vient de notre mission de l’extrémité du Mozambique. Nous faisons partie de la Province d’Afrique australe (SAP) avec la Zambie, le Malawi et l’Afrique du Sud, l’une de celles appelées méga provinces. Le pays couvre une surface de plus de 800’000 km² et il est peuplé de 20 millions d’habitants environ.

Depuis la période coloniale, le Mozambique a souffert de beaucoup de problèmes et de calamités naturelles tels que cyclones, inondations, coulées de terre et feux de brousse. De plus, le pays a connu une guerre civile pendant seize ans, laquelle a détruit son économie. L’impact de cette guerre civile est encore perceptible. Malgré toutes ces catastrophes, ce pays est potentiellement riche en ressources naturelles comme le gaz, le charbon, une terre fertile et plus de 2’500 km de littoral sur l’océan Indien. D’importantes rivières y coulent, tels le Zambèze, le Limpopo et le Save pour n’en mentionner que quelques-unes. En dépit de toutes ces ressources, le Mozambique est compté parmi les pays les plus pauvres du monde. L’exploitation de ces ressources est principalement dans les mains de compagnies étrangères et la population n’a qu’une vague idée de ce que cela représente pour l’économie réelle du pays. C’est le contexte dans lequel nous travaillons.

Le programme de la propédeutique

Notre programme dure deux ans. Quand les étudiants terminent à l’école secondaire, ils sont sélectionnés par une équipe de trois confrères. Ils sont admis au programme de la propédeutique qui dure 17 mois. Ils sont ensuite présentés au staff de Balaka, notre centre de première étape au Malawi. TEXT COMPLET

STOP Slavery Leaflet – Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On August 17, 2013

In Justice and Peace, Mozambique Sector, Publications

Timothée Bationo at the JMJ in Brazil

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On August 16, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News, Vocation animation

Our confrere Timothée Bationo, Sector Superior in Mozambique, went to pay a visit to Pierre Lukusa in Brazil. It coincided with the JMJ in Rio de Janeiro where Timothée met other Missionaries of Africa: Willy Ngumbi, Bishop of Kindu in DRCongo and Francisco J. Silota, Bishop of Chimoio in Mozambique. Note that Jan De Groef, Bishop of Bethlehem in South Africa was also at the JMJ.

Timothée was pleased to meet Pierre who will be completing his training at “Fazenda d´Esperança” for one more and final year. In his two weeks journey, Timothée participated in some events led by the Pope: visit and blessing of an hospital, visit to the slum “favela”, way of the Cross, vigil and sending mass. He also met the group of Gen Rosso-Focolari composed of about 200 youth. They performed a show with songs and plays emphasising the idea that the youth can be strong without violence. Peace, love and unity are great tools for evangelisation. The show was presented to Pope Francis during a night vigil.

In his simplicity, Pope Francis touched the hearts of more than 3 million people at the Copacabana beach. His final message is to affirm that Christians should “go without fear proclaiming the Gospel”.

Timothée will remember this exceptional experience for ever and wish to thank everyone who helped him to make this trip to Brazil possible.

: Pierre Lukusa

: Pierre Lukusa, Francisco J. Silota, Willy Ngumbi and Timothée Bationo

Our Experience with the Youth in Chimoio Diocese, Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On August 9, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News, Vocation animation

By Maurice Aduol Odhiambo and Serge Kabwakila Kasongo

The second term holiday was characterized by different activities in the Diocese of Chimoio despite being relatively short (2 weeks). We, the stagiaires in Mozambique, wish to share with you some of these activities.

We are members of the Diocesan youth commission which managed to organize two youth camps. The first one took place in Machaze where Dombe Mission is located. The topics discussed were the following; marriage, polygamy, relationship and dowry payment. All these themes were accompanied by dramas, group discussions and sharing between the youth and some invited guests who were knowledgeable in these areas. READ MORE

: The youth of the Southern Deanery in Machaze

: Members of the Diocesan youth commission who organized Youths training in Amatongas

: Representatives of various youths in Chimoio Diocese in Amatongas during the youth workshop

Government – Renamo talks resume, despite raid on arsenal

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On June 21, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News

… the attack, at about 03.30 on Monday morning, against an arsenal of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) at Savane, in Sofala. At least six Mozambican soldiers were murdered in the raid.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the attack… According to a report in the Maputo daily “Noticias”, there were about 30 FADM troops at the arsenal, who were taken completely off their guard by the pre-dawn raid. The attackers made off with an unknown amount of weaponry.

The paper’s report says that five soldiers were killed on the spot, and a sixth died later in Beira Central Hospital. Another is unaccounted for and may also be dead. A wounded soldier is still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The head of the Savane administrative post, Rosa Bia Luis, had no doubt that the raiders, who wore uniforms, were members of Renamo. She said the attack had caused great tension in Savane, and that some public institutions, including schools and health units had closed their doors because of it.

The wounded soldier told reporters that the attackers had also suffered casualties, but had carried their dead and wounded away with them.

READ MORE

From Google Map

The drama of life

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On June 12, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News

The drama of life

While watching a film about the Uganda Martyrs, I was touched by the way they were placidly murdered by the soldiers. How can they slaughter fellow human beings like an animal on a charcoal? I am alarmed to see this kind of butchery becoming so casual. Then, I asked myself what the meaning of life is all about. Actually, life is full of drama opposing contrary occurrences.

For instance, doctors are working tirelessly to treat sick people whereas others are being assassinated. While someone is sweating to protect or save the life of a person, someone else is doing his best in order to destroy the existence of someone else as it is happening in war zone countries. Efforts to promote Justice and peace are annihilated by political destabilization of peaceful co-existence. Many couples are unsuccessful in procreating children while millions of abortions are performed. Winning football teams celebrate when losers are saddened.

These few examples tell me that I am constantly squeezed between conflicting realities. What shall I do? Am I simply acting like a spectator within a collective drama? Or, am I willing to face the challenge to do my best to make the world a better place to live in? I see myself becoming co-actors for a better world in a fighting spirit. It is not like a soldier throwing prisoners on a charcoal but as an athlete running to gain the reward reserved for the children of God.

By Maurice Odhiambo, stagiaire, Dombe community, Mozambique

Some insights about the Republic of Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 14, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News

Letter sent by Maurice Odhiambo, second year stagiaire in Dombe.

Part of Southern Africa, Mozambique is bordering the Indian Ocean and is located south of Tanzania while surrounding the southern part of Malawi and contiguous to Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Swaziland. A population of over twenty million inhabitants share 800km² of land. Most people are of Bantu origin with a significant presence of Asians and Europeans. Having been a Portuguese colony, the official language is Portuguese which is widely spoken in towns whereas in villages the natives speak their local language.

Mozambique is composed of ten provinces. Each one has its capital referred to as “centre of administration”. With about two million residents, the heart of the economic activities is concentrated in the capital Maputo situated in the very southern part of the Republic far away from the rest of the country. Other main cities are Beira, Nampula, Nacala and Quelimane.

Around 70% of Mozambicans are peasants who cultivate maize, rice, beans and cassava. They also do fishing and handicraft.

Mozambique attained independence on 25^th June of 1975. The first president was Samora Moises Machel who perished in a plane crash. He was then succeeded by Joaquim Chissano. The actual president is Armando Guebuza. Mozambique is still in the process of development both politically and economically. It had faced many challenges since independence including fifteen years of civil war between Frelimo and Renamo. Heavy floods, famine and earthquakes brought also lots of destruction. These factors explain the level of poverty prevailing up to now even though the country is experiencing strong economic growth.

A peace accord was finally signed in Rome in 1992 through the mediation of the Catholic Church. It is really sad that the full content of these agreements have not yet been fully implemented. The government has been reluctant which is resulting in tension in the country. After 21 years since the peace accord, the government is still dialoguing with the opposition on how fully implement these agreements.

The Church in Mozambique is both old and young. As a matter of fact, the Church has just celebrated 500 years of existence. On the other hand, many setbacks affected the life of the Church before and after independence; accusation of collaboration with the colonizers, departure of many missionaries, local priests having to ask permission from the government four days in advance in order to celebrate Mass on Sundays. As a result, primary evangelization remains the main trend of the pastoral life of the Church whereby church attendance in some places is minimal.

I can say that I benefit a lot to know more about the historical background of Mozambique. Little by little I am gathering more information for my enrichment and pastoral experience.

By Maurice Odhiambo

Updates from Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On May 11, 2013

In Justice and Peace, Mozambique Sector, News

Planning the Antislavery Campaign in Mozambique

All the confreres working in Mozambique met in Nazaré (Beira) on March 18-25^th to take stock of the situation and plan for the future, including what to do concerning the Antislavery Campaign in our Sector.

Claudio Zuccala was with us as part of his one-month-long visit to Mozambique and he was chosen as the moderator. He shared with us ideas, suggestions, material and some of the initiatives taken in the SAP, whereupon the Sector proceeded to sketch out its own plan.

Among various events which were suggested, we plan events in the different parishes where we work (Sussundenga, Dombe, possibly the future Parish in Tete and the Centre of Nazaré) and a Social Week in Nazaré with conferences, debates a photographic exhibition. Dates were put forward (September) and tasks were allotted.

Social Week

The archdiocesan Centre on the outskirts of Beira was also the venue for a conference organized by the Mozambican Conference of Religious Men and Women (CIRM-CONFEREMO).

Fifty three people took part, representing 40 Institutes. Four of us were also present: Hugh Seenan, Timothée Bationo, Richard Ujwigowa and Florent Sawadogo.

It started on April 23^rd and the main topics were: The Land issue (the question of ownership and the impact of mega-projects which cause, among others, land grabbing and summary evictions), Human Trafficking and Violence against girls.

It is worth mentioning that though the Government of Mozambique does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, all the same it is making significant efforts to do so. Mozambique demonstrated an increased commitment to combating trafficking in 2008, particularly through the enactment of comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation, the creation of an anti-trafficking police unit, and the conviction and sentencing of two child traffickers.

The Archbishop of Beira, Mgr. Claudio Dalla Zuanna (Italian, 54, of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) opened the Social Week explaining the role of the Centre and the necessity of holding meetings of this kind. He made it clear that Religious Men and Women in Mozambique should be the critical conscience of the local Church and of society at large.

Seven different speakers helped the participants to obtain a clearer vision and a deeper knowledge of the issues at stake and the conference ended on April 25^th with a solemn declaration of commitment and engagement by CIRM-CONFEREMO in the three areas and the adoption of a plan of action for the future.

By Florent Sawadogo (translation and adaptation by Claudio Zuccala)

If interested in getting all the documentation available (in Portuguese) concerning the Social Week, please contact Claudio Zuccala through this blog or directly at c_zuccala@hotmail.com

9 dead after Renamo threatens war to block elections

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On April 17, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News, Publications

Document sent recently from Mozambique.

Nine people have been killed since Friday (first week of April 2013) in a growing confrontation between Renamo and the government in Muxúnguè, Sofala province, on the main north-south road (EN1) 100km north of the River Save. (…) Finally, on Sunday in Muxúnguè in an unexplained attack, the local Anglican pastor was killed.

Catholic bishops in a pastoral letter Sunday said that the “hypocrisy” of both Frelimo and Renamo was behind the conflict. It cited the “intense antagonism and lack of tolerance and dialogue” on both sides. It went on to blame the lack of internal democracy in the two parties. “Aren’t there many members of both parties who are afraid to express their own opinion if it differs from that of party leaders?” asked the bishops. READ MORE

Please, let us remember our confreres who are living at Dombe situated at 70km from Muxúnguè.

Log Smuggling, Illegal Logging, and Corruption in Mozambique

By Missionaries of Africa - Southern Africa Province (SAP)

On March 21, 2013

In Mozambique Sector, News, Publications

Log Smuggling, Illegal Logging, and Corruption in Mozambique

February 2013

A report on the illegal flow of timber from Mozambique to China featuring detailed case studies revealing smuggling techniques, specific examples of corruption and the collusion of senior Mozambique politicians with Chinese timber exporters.

This document was produced with the financial assistance of the Department for International Development (DFID) Forest Governance Markets and Climate programme.

The contents are the sole responsibility of Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of DFID.

Conclusion of the report:

Mozambique is a signatory to the Yaounde Ministerial Declaration on African Forest Law Enforcement and Governance, committing itself to 42 indicative actions against illegal logging and associated trade, corruption, and to promote improved forest governance. Given the problems outlined in this briefing, it is clear these commitments have not been met.

The discrepancy in official export/import data in volumes of timber traded between Mozambique to China demonstrates the scale of illegal exports and how they drive illegal logging in the country.

The tax revenue lost to this trade harms Mozambique’s capacity to fund improved forest management and law enforcement, as well as community poverty alleviation schemes.

Government efforts to control the illegal timber trade, by increasing the number of seizures, legislating for greater fines and by increasing the VAT tax on the export of logs, have been undermined by the persistence of the illegal operators protected by political patronage.

These problems should by now have raised concerns from the relevant Mozambican authorities and their Chinese counterparts, leading to an investigation regarding any illegalities involved. The fact that these problems continue to blight the proper management of the forest sector is a travesty forMozambique’s forests and for those poor communities who rely on them for their survival.

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Online Document