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Mozambique’s Catholic Bishops Call for National Commitment to Healing ahead of Golden Independence Jubilee

João Vissesse

By João Vissesse

Maputo, 19 May, 2025 / 3:45 pm (ACI Africa).

As the people of God in Mozambique prepare to celebrate 50 years of independence in September, the country’s Catholic Bishops are calling for a renewed commitment to reconciliation, healing, and justice.

In a Pastoral Letter issued Monday, May 19, members of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) warn that wounds of past and recent violence still run deep across the Southern African nation and urge Mozambicans to commit themselves to healing them.

“For Mozambique to walk the path of true reconciliation, there must be a commitment to healing the wounds left by years of violence,” CEM members say in their Pastoral Letter titled, “Reconciliation and Hope: A Path to Peace and Unity”.

True reconciliation, they note, “must not be seen as a mere act of forgiveness, but as an ongoing practice of restoring relationships and building mutual trust.”

“The Church calls for the wounds of the past to be addressed openly, without hiding the injustices that occurred, in order to foster a genuine healing process,” they say.

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For CEM members, the people of God in Mozambique need to recognize reconciliation as an ongoing commitment; one that must be lived out daily through acts of solidarity, dialogue, and respect.

“Reconciliation is not an isolated act; it is a daily practice that must be lived by everyone. True peace will only be achieved when there is justice for all, and reconciliation must be supported by concrete actions committed to truth, forgiveness, and human dignity,” the Catholic Church leaders say.

They say that reconciliation requires “listening to victims on all sides of the conflict, to restore relationships in a fair and equitable manner.”

Mozambique’s Catholic Bishops note that true peace is inseparable from social justice and human dignity. “Only when every Mozambican feels valued and protected can peace flourish,” they emphasize.

Reflecting on the role of young people in the vision for a reconciled Mozambique, CEM members say, “Young Mozambicans bear the legacy of past pain, but they also possess the energy and hope to build a better future.”

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They call on those at the helm of institutions in the country to provide youths with meaningful opportunities, especially through quality education, job creation, and civic engagement.

“Education must go beyond academic achievement. It should foster values such as peace, justice, responsibility, and respect for others — essential foundations for a reconciled society,” the Catholic Bishops say.

Despite efforts to improve education since independence, CEM members point out persisting challenges, including low teaching standards and insufficient civic instruction. 

They emphasize that forming citizens committed to the common good must be “a national priority.”

CEM members urge all Mozambicans — regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political alignment — to become active builders of peace. 

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“Reconciliation must move from words to actions, from policies to personal and collective choices that reflect our commitment to unity and justice,” they emphasize.

Looking ahead, the Catholic Bishops note that the road to lasting peace requires perseverance and sincerity. 

“Mozambique must embark on a renewed and inclusive journey of healing — a path that promotes forgiveness, justice, and the dignity of every citizen. True peace will only be achieved when every Mozambican, without exception, experiences the reality of justice, reconciliation, and the fullness of human dignity,” CEM members say in their Pastoral Letter issued May 19.

João Vissesse

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.