Mozambique Bishops Call for Answers on Bishop Murder, Vatican Prays for Consolation

4:13 PM ETDeveloping

Faith Desk

In Short: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Mozambique has expressed frustration over the lack of answers regarding the murder of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, three months after his death.

Three months after the murder of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso in Mozambique, the Catholic Bishops' Conference has stated that they have yet to receive any details about the circumstances surrounding his death. The bishop, who was the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Beira and secretary general of the bishops' conference, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the chest at his residence on June 6.

The Vatican, through Pope Leo XIV, has expressed its closeness and keen interest in clarifying the circumstances and causes surrounding the death of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso. During a meeting with the bishops' conference leadership at the Vatican, the pope encouraged them not to succumb to discouragement, stating that this moment could become an opportunity for purification, renewal, and strengthening of the Church's evangelizing mission.

The bishops' conference has lamented the 'grave act of violence' and prayed for the people and dioceses of Mozambique, expressing regret that despite efforts made to date, nothing is known from the competent authorities regarding what transpired. They continue to await answers to these questions, three months after the event.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Mozambique has also joined with the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission in filing an amicus brief in support of a legal dispute, arguing that lower courts erred by misapplying certain finality standards to the case.

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The Vatican issued a statement on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, who was on his apostolic trip to Spain when Bishop Osório’s death was announced.
Lamenting the “grave act of violence,” Pope Leo prayed for the people and dioceses of Mozambique “in this hour of distress, that the Lord may grant them consolation, that he may protect each man and woman in his love and stay the hand of the violent,” the Vatican press office said.
“We have lost a brother who was still young and from whom much was expected,” the bishops wrote.
The murdered prelate had turned 54 on May 6, exactly one month before he was found dead.
In an earlier July 12 statement, the conference said it conveyed its concerns to the pope regarding “the lack of clear answers” about the bishop’s assassination.
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Sources

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