Sister Paula is a Comboni Missionary in Chipene, a small village in Mozambique. A few months ago, she lost one of her sisters, Maria de Coppi, in a jihadi terrorist attack. But Sister Paula's life was unexpectedly spared.
SR. PAULA CIUDAD SANCHEZ
Comboni Missionary
The Lord protected me. I don't know why. Whether it's because I am very good or because I am very bad. The day before the attack, I had gone to the capital, Nampula. We go there from time to time to do some shopping.
During Sr. Paula's absence, the jihadists attacked the Comboni Mission. She was saved along with another sister who was also away. But Sister Maria de Coppi was killed. Sister Paula remembers her with admiration. She founded the community 60 years ago and ultimately gave her life for it.
SR. PAULA CIUDAD SANCHEZ
Comboni Missionary
She was a sister who loved the people very much. She was always with them and she never had any problems with them. She had an incredible amount of patience—she always listened well and gave good advice.
Despite the attack, the Comboni Sisters have decided to remain in Chipene. They ask for prayers and financial help to continue educating the population, especially the women, as 70% are illiterate.
SR. PAULA CIUDAD SANCHEZ
Comboni Missionary
We help each other a lot because we have a lot of girls who cannot study in their communities. They come here to at least have schooling.
We are also very committed to what the Pope now encourages about the Common Home. We want to protect the environment where we are because, as in almost all countries, corporations are causing damage.
The Bishop of Nacala, a port city in Mozambique, values the mission of the Comboni Sisters and works side by side with them to educate the youth. Together they hope to provide an alternative to the opportunities offered by the terrorist groups.
BP. ALBERTO VERA
Diocese of Nacala, Mozambique
The number one reason why this terrorism is happening is because young people have not had any other opportunity. Most of them are illiterate; they don't know how to speak Portuguese. They have no other option but to work the fields.
So there is a lot of hunger. Young people see what is in the world and want to have it too, and if the terrorist groups give them money, they go and will join anyone.
Although Mozambique signed a peace treaty in 1992, it has been immersed in internal conflict for decades. The Catholic Church has been working to neutralize terrorism and provide better futures for young people throughout the country.
RM
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