Bissau, 03 December, 2025 / 9:42 pm (ACI Africa).
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.
