The church in Mozambique is facing serious challenges. It is a country with a Christian majority, except in some northern areas where it is the opposite.
BP. ALBERTO VERA
Diocese of Nacala, Mozambique
This diocese is mostly Muslim—a very high percentage—almost 50%. Then, there is another percentage of people of a traditional religion and a group of Christians, we could say is relatively small, 10%.
The challenges, then, are mainly the co-existence between Christians and Muslims.
The bishop added that the coexistence between both religions had been peaceful until the arrival of Islamic terrorist groups.
One of these groups assassinated the nun, Sister Maria de Coppi, on September 6.
At a conference organized by Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Alberto Vera explained that another challenge facing Mozambique is the high percentage of illiteracy.
BP. ALBERTO VERA
Diocese of Nacala, Mozambique
There is still a very high percentage of people who live below the literacy level. Women, we can say almost 70%. Men, maybe less, 40%. It is a very significant number. So, the majority of people have to work in the fields to live.
Bishop Vera pointed out that the formation of seminarians is another challenge.
BP. ALBERTO VERA
Diocese of Nacala, Mozambique
At the moment, the diocese has many seminarians. A challenge that we have, and, which is sometimes scandalous, is that we cannot support their studies. We live with great difficulty to be able to pay for what they need: food, clothing, and formation classes.
For decades, Mozambique has been immersed in a civil war between various ethnic and religious groups. Despite the signing of a peace treaty in 1992, the animosity between the groups is still very much alive.
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