Bishops of Mozambique gather for plenary assembly in Maputo as Cardinal Parolin visits

The Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) has said that Cardinal Pietro Parolin will visit Mozambique this week. The visit is being seen as a gesture of reassurance and closeness by the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, given the ongoing insurgency in the restive Cabo Delgado Province. Attacks by Islamist militants have displaced thousands and caused the deaths of many innocent civilians. CEM’s plenary assembly will also take place during this period. Cardinal Parolin is expected to be in Mozambique

Cremildo Alexandre – Nampula

The announcement was made by Archbishop Inacio Saure, President of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique and Archbishop of Nampula.

According to Archbishop Saure, in addition to the honour of hosting the Vatican Secretary of State, the Bishops will convene for their annual Plenary Assembly. This gathering will bring together all the country’s Bishops. It will run concurrently with the Third National Youth Day—one of Mozambique’s largest Catholic youth event and festival.

Archbishop Saure emphasised the significant pastoral and organisational importance of these upcoming events for the Mozambican Church.

Pope Leo XIV’s closeness

Regarding Cardinal Parolin’s visit, Archbishop Saure highlighted its importance as a strong sign of Pope Leo’s closeness and solidarity with the Mozambican people, particularly those affected by social, economic, and security challenges.

“The Cardinal will carry a message of solidarity and the Holy Father’s closeness to the suffering Mozambican people,” said the Archbishop. He further expressed confidence that the visit would bring comfort especially to the populations of Cabo Delgado and Nampula.

The Third National Youth Day, on the other hand, is expected to gather thousands of young people from all dioceses and archdioceses of Mozambique, fostering faith, peer fraternity, and reaffirming the Church’s commitment to its youth.

The Church hopes that the tripartite events taking place in the coming days will strengthen unity, hope, and the evangelising mission at a time when Mozambique continues to face numerous social and humanitarian challenges.

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