The world is silent about Islamic terrorist attacks on churches in Mozambique
The situation in northern Mozambique is deteriorating significantly. Islamic State terrorists have been regularly attacking Catholic churches and missions for several months. "The attacks are becoming more and more religion-oriented, and the world is closing its eyes," commented Bishop Luiz Fernando Maria Lozano who works in the most vulnerable province of Cabo Delgado.
Over 200,000 people have recently fled the region for fear of life. “Many want to come back, but until the situation stabilises, one cannot think about it,” emphasises Bishop Maria Lozano. He mentions a series of attacks on churches and chapels perpetrated before Easter. In the area of the mission of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the attackers tried to burn the temple. They started by setting the benches on fire, and then destroyed the statues of Mary and Jesus.
Bishop Maria Lozano reminds that what is happening in this area is subject to a conspiracy of silence. Many journalists who followed the topic disappeared; the material they recorded was confiscated by the authorities.
This situation was recently interrupted by Pope Francis, who visited Mozambique last year. In his message “Urbi et Orbi”, he explicitly referred to the serious humanitarian crisis in the province of Cabo Delgado.
“I’m talking about over 200,000 people who had to flee from there. This is an obvious injustice. This is a very poor population, which as a result of another conflict loses its few possessions,” emphasises Bishop Lozano. He also begs for concrete help and solidarity with his people so that they can live in peace again. He points out that the silence and indifference of the world will mean an end to them.
Source: pch24.pl
