Mindelo, 14 August, 2025 / 8:42 pm (ACI Africa).
The Bishop of Cape Verde’s Catholic Diocese of Santiago has expressed solidarity with the Catholic Diocese of Mindelo following torrential rains in São Vicente that left at least eight people dead, hundreds displaced, and widespread destruction.
On August 12, Cape Verde declared a state of emergency on the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão, after the deadly floods that displaced at least 1,500 people from their homes, BBC News reported.
In a message addressed to Bishop Ildo Augusto dos Santos Lopes Fortes, Cardinal Furtado conveys his “fraternal solidarity with the Diocese of Mindelo, its Bishop, Clergy, Consecrated Persons, lay faithful, and all people affected by this calamity.”
The Cardinal laments in the message issued August 12 that he received “with profound sorrow and dismay the news of the natural disaster that struck the Barlavento Islands, especially São Vicente, causing irreparable loss of human life, injuries, missing persons, and substantial material damage.”
“We share the pain and the hope of everyone, trusting that Christian communion and the strength of prayer can strengthen us in this trial,” Cardinal Furtado adds.
