National Pilgrimage in Guinea-Bissau Cancelled, Catholic Dioceses Cite Unstable “sociopolitical situation”

Bissau, 03 December, 2025 / 9:42 PM

The Catholic Dioceses of Bissau and Bafatá in Guinea-Bissau have announced that the traditional National Pilgrimage to Cacheu has been cancelled this year, a decision motivated by the sociopolitical situation in the country.

In a joint statement issued Tuesday, December 2, Bishop José Lampra Cà and Bishop Víctor Luís Quematcha of Bissau and Bafatá Catholic Dioceses, respectively, invited the people of God to pray for peace in the country.

“This year, the traditional National Pilgrimage to Cacheu will not take place, considering the sociopolitical situation that our country is currently experiencing,” the Catholi Bishops said.

They emphasized that “the cancellation results from a responsible evaluation of the sociopolitical events marking the present moment,” expressing regret that this year the faithful will not be able to gather at the well-known Marian shrine of Guinea-Bissau.

Army generals in Guinea-Bissau seized power on November 26 – the eve of a scheduled official declaration of the winner in the West African nation’s presidential election.

Alleging a destabilization plot by unnamed politicians and drug lords, the military suspended the electoral process and blocked the results of the November 23 presidential poll that both the now former president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, and the opposition candidate had claimed victory in.

General Horta Inta-a, the head of the presidential guard, was subsequently sworn in as “transitional” leader, and Ilídio Vieira Té, a close Embaló ally, was appointed prime minister. 

Despite the cancellation, the Catholic Bishops invited all parishes to live the pilgrimage day spiritually, transforming Saturday, December 6—the originally scheduled date—“into an opportunity for prayer, unity, and intercession for our nation.”

They also directed that in each Parish, Holy Mass be celebrated at 8:00 a.m., asking the Lord for “the gift of peace, justice, and reconciliation for the entire people of Guinea-Bissau.”

Each community is also encouraged to organize the praying of the Rosary “in the manner they find most appropriate.”

They invited the people of God to entrust “the present and future of our Homeland to the Virgin Mary, venerated in Cacheu,” and to renew their hope, certain that “God walks with us.”