Guinea-Bissau’s Bafatá Diocese Opens Silver Jubilee Celebrations With Calls for National Reconciliation

He urged Guineans to embrace unity and rebuild trust among themselves, saying, “Reconciliation is not just a beautiful word; it is a concrete commitment that we must live every day, caring for one another, especially the most vulnerable.” 

Fr. Tambá emphasized that the Jubilee is not merely a historical commemoration but a moment of grace and conversion for both individuals and communities. 

“This is a time of forgiveness and the restoration of relationships weakened by sin, division, and indifference. We must live this Jubilee as an experience of mercy that transforms lives and societies,” the 48-year-old Catholic Priest said.

Highlighting the virtues of faith, hope, and charity as essential for national renewal, Fr. Tambá said faith gives courage in the face of hardship, hope sustains the vision of peace and national unity, and charity is expressed through concrete acts of reconciliation and social justice. 

He noted that these virtues are vital not only for spiritual life but also for strengthening social cohesion.

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Guinea-Bissau’s Bafatá Diocese Opens Silver Jubilee Celebrations With Calls for National Reconciliation

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Fr. Tambá reminded the faithful that the Church’s mission in Guinea-Bissau extends beyond rituals and celebrations. 

“Our commitment is to the concrete life of people, to justice, fraternity, and peace,” he said, inviting all—Christians and non-Christians alike—to walk together toward a more humane and united country.

During the celebration, the Diocese unveiled the official Jubilee logo and presented a comprehensive program designed to involve the entire Diocesan community. 

The Jubilee opening was celebrated simultaneously across parishes and missions, with the participation of Clergy, women and men Religious, and lay faithful.

Planned Jubilee activities include parish festivals, photographic exhibitions marking 25 years of the Diocese, conferences, monthly Masses, Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation Masses, and a range of cultural events. 

Social and pastoral initiatives are to be carried out, including solidarity campaigns, interreligious encounters, children’s programs, and radio broadcasts on local stations such as Sol Mansi, Rádio Mulher de Bafatá, and Rádio Comunitária de Bafatá.

The Jubilee Year is expected to conclude from April 24 to 26, at the Cathedral of Bafatá, with a thanksgiving celebration, the distribution of commemorative photo frames to parishes, the publication of a Jubilee album, and the planting of a symbolic tree at the Diocesan Curia.

Established by Pope John Paul II in March 2001, the Diocese of Bafatá covers the regions of Bafatá, Gabú, Quinara, Tombali, and Bolama. 

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