Tag: Mozambique

News and events Sector Mozambique

Anti-Slavery campaign in the Southern Africa Province

Claudio Zuccala Petit Echo 2013
125th Anniversary of Cardinal Lavigerie’s Anti-Slavery campaign.
Many events and initiatives at the level of SAP during the year
As I am writing these lines, one of the major events organised at the level of SAP to mark the 125th anniversary of Lavigerie’s Anti-Slavery campaign, has just come to an end. Initially, it had been envisaged that a bus highlighting the Anti-Slavery campaign would tour through all the sectors of the Province picking up and dropping off people as it went along. As it was, the Mozambique sector was the only one able to organise this aspect of the campaign. A minibus set off from Beira on 29th August and travelled to Tete, the boom town along the Zambezi River, picking up some people from our parishes of Dombe and Sussundenga. A two day awareness event was organised in Tete and the same happened in Chimoio a week later. Hundreds of people took part. The final event took place in Beira, at the Nazaré centre, from 12th to 15th September 2013. Conferences, debates, drama, radio and television interviews took place and there was a 4-day-long continuous and interested involvement of some 80 participants. This was a considerable achievement for our confreres in Mozambique.
By Claudio Zuccala, M.Afr
FULL TEXT
TEXTE COMPLET EN FRANÇAIS

MOZAMBIQUE – Southern African Bishops’ Appeal for Peace in Mozambique

Agenzia Fides logoMaputo (Agenzia Fides) – Cautious opening of the Mozambican government’s with regards to the request of RENAMO (Mozambique National Resistance) to involve domestic observers in the dialogue to resolve the crisis that saw the national army attack the headquarters of the former guerrilla movement in the forests of Sadjunjira in the central province of Sofala, on October 21. The leader of RENAMO, Afonso Dhlakama, managed to escape and hide in an unspecified place.
Since then, in attacks committed by men of RENAMO to government institutions and along the roads, dozens of people have lost their lives.
José Pacheco, Minister of Agriculture and head of the government commission for dialogue with the main = opposition party, said that the government is ready to recognize the participation in discussions with RENAMO of Lourenco do Rosario, Rector of the private “A Polytechnic” University, and Mgr. Dinis Sengulane, Anglican Bishop of Lebombo, but rejected the idea of involving foreign mediators, saying that “we Mozambicans can solve internal affairs”.
Meanwhile in the administrative elections boycotted by RENAMO, the ruling party, FRELIMO, was re-elected at the head of the administration of the capital Maputo.
The Mozambican crisis was recalled by IMBISA Assembly (Interregional Association of Bishops of Southern Africa), the body that brings together the Bishops of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, which was held in mid-November in Gaborone (Botswana). “We follow with concern, says the message of IMBISA, what is happening in Mozambique in recent times. It seems that the weapons are being replaced, bringing suffering and death, to dialogue and cooperation of all for the consolidation of peace”.
Referring to the peace agreements of 1992, which put an end to a war which lasted 17 years, the message said that “Mozambique and its leaders are taken as an example of how to end a long war through dialogue”.
“Mozambique plays a very important role in our region. Its progress and stability are vital for our Countries to consolidate their development. We therefore call on our governments to join their voices to that of the people of Mozambique to demand the cessation of all acts of violence and the use of weapons and to encourage all efforts of dialogue”, the document concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2013)

Nazaré Social Study Week – No to Slavery

12-15 September 2013, by Hugh Seenan, M.Afr
The social study week in Nazaré was the climax of the three Provincial Capitals Caravan, Tete (Tete), Chimoio (Manica) and Beira (Sofala), promoting our anti-slavery campaign commemorating the 125th Anniversary of Cardinal Lavigerie, our founder’s campaign.
It was a joint week run by the Missionaries of Africa, the Archdiocese of Beira and SANTAC, the SADC sponsored group against Child Trafficking and Abuse. The participants included local traditional leaders, Catholic Secondary School pupils and their teacher, students and teachers from the Catholic University of Mozambique, local and provincial government agencies involved in this area, members of parish Justice and Peace groups as well as local religious and priests.
With the help of SANTAC we had experts in the areas of law and social policy in this area.  Key themes and presentations of the Missionary of Africa campaign were integrated into this.  There was much interest and lively debate in a friendly atmosphere.
Through SANTAC we had the presence of Fransisco Júnior, the top television investigative journalist in Mozambique and correspondent of VOA. He spoke about a famous case he was involved in, a report on girls trafficked to South Africa. He also made various interviews for VOA Portuguese service (radio and website see
Voz of América
The week was a fitting climax to our year of commemoration and through cooperation with SANTAC we hope to continue the campaign.

Casa Cardenal Carlos Lavigerie

Casa Cardenal 02Casa 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
Casa Cardenal 01La 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
 

Timber rackets, gas booms in Mozambique

Africa Confidential 02
As the gas industry opens up the north, generals and politicians are smuggling hundreds of tonnes of timber and ivory to China
As the booming trade in smuggled ivory and timber devastates northern Mozambique’s environment, Attorney General Augusto Paulino has launched an investigation into the claimed involvement of Agriculture Minister José Pacheco and his predecessor Tomás Mandlate. Both face accusations of involvement in timber smuggling in cahoots with Chinese companies. Both Pacheco and Mandlate deny all wrong doing. READ MORE
7 June 2013 • Vol 54 – N° 12 • Africa Confidential

Some insights about the Republic of Mozambique

Map of MozambiqueLetter 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.
Samora Moises Machel 02Mozambique attained independence on 25th 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.
Flag of MozambiqueI 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
READ MORE ABOUT MOZAMBIQUE
To help people to get organized
9 dead after Renamo threatens war to block elections
Log Smuggling, Illegal Logging, and Corruption in Mozambique
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makeshift roads

9 dead after Renamo threatens war to block elections

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.

Spectacular accident on the road between Dedza and Tete

Incid_spettacolarePicture sent by Claudio Zuccala, M.Afr

To help people to get organized

Justice & Peace in Mozambique

Our vocation in the Church is linked with our fight for more justice in society. Already the Second Vatican Council said explicitly that “the joys and hopes, the grief and the fears of the people of today meet an echo in our hearts” (GS 1). The Church feels intimately linked with the cares and needs of all people. The Second Assembly of the Bishops likewise emphasised the necessity of working for justice: “The task of justice is an integral part of the mission of evangelisation of the Church” (Justice in the world, 1971). Engagement in justice and peace is part of the missionary’s action in all Christian communities as it is prayed in the fourth Eucharistic prayer for various needs:  may your Church stand as a living witness to truth and freedom, to peace and justice, that all people be raised up to a new hope.

In Sena Parish (diocese of Beira, Mozambique), the people managed to organise themselves for the protection of their land against a multinational that wanted 18 000 hectares of their land in order to grow sugar cane and produce ethanol for the european market. This multinational intended to expel the inhabitants to other areas lacking basic infrastructures like schools, hospitals, proper roads and stores. The person in charge of promoting justice and peace issues distributed documents explaining the Law of the Land to all churches and beyond. He was threatened at the Local Court, but people who don’t belong to our Church protected him. Then, with their Paramount Chief, people started to get involved. They finally succeeded to protect their land with the help of the Diocesan Commission of Justice & Peace. A lawyer assisted them too to be officially recognised as an Association. As a result, the multinational had to withdraw from the area. Sadness and fear were trNorbert_Angibaud_1ansformed into joy and hope for a better world. Seeing this success story other communities want to do the same. Together with prayer and worship in church the work of evangelisation means helping people to overcome powerlessness, ignorance and submission to the powerful. It is the will of Jesus to work against injustices and all inhuman conditions including slavery.

Norbert Angibaud, M.Afr

Our confreres in Mozambique

Father Timothée Bationo, Burkinabe, Matacuane – Father Jean de Dieu Bukuru, Burundian, Dombe – Father Fernando Pérez, Spanish, Nazaré – Father Marcin Perfikowski, Polish, Sussundenga – Father Franco Pinna, Italian, Beira, Inhamizua – Father Fidel Salazar del Muro, Mexican, Nazaré – Father Florent Sibiri Sawadogo, Burkinabe, Dombe – Father Hugh Seenan, British, Nazaré – Bishop J. Francisco Silota, Mozambican, Chimoio – Father Richard Ujwigowa, Congolese, Sussundenga – Father Bernhard Wernke, German, Dombe -Father Boris Yabre, Burkinabe, Sussundenga – Father Claudio Zuccala, Italian, Nazaré.

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