The Catholic mission of Our Lady of Africa in Mazeze was attacked by jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State on February 12th. According to reports from the district administrator of Chiúre, Mozambique, armed men invaded the mission, destroying and setting fire to the Catholic chapel, as well as other residences.

Editorial (02/19/2024 12:00, Gaudium Press) Brazilian priest Salvador Maria Rodrigues de Brito, in charge of the Our Lady of Africa Mission, confirmed the terrorist attack. He reported that armed men attacked the administrative post headquarters of Mazeze around 6 p.m., last Monday, February 12th.

Additionally, they destroyed the local health center and school. The mission’s buildings were also attacked and destroyed, including the rectory, parish office, and the church. Some of these facilities had been recently built. Despite no fatalities, the terrorists were meticulous in their destruction, reported the priest.

The Our Lady of Africa Mission is the headquarters of a social project called “Window of the Future,” and part of the project’s assets were also destroyed in the attack. Fortunately, Father Salvador Rodrigues reported that many people had already been evacuated from the area. Anticipating the worst, the priest rescued the Blessed Sacrament from the church, as well as the parish records of baptisms and marriages.

Pope Francis Prays for Northern Mozambique 

After reciting the Angelus last Sunday (February 18th), Pope Francis made a point to pray for the difficult situation in the northern region of Mozambique, in Cabo Delgado, with the increase in attacks by Islamist radicals.

Since 2017, Mozambique has faced an escalation of violence from terrorists in the northern part of the country. The attacks were initially concentrated in the Cabo Delgado region but are now beginning to spread to neighboring areas. The violence has already claimed more than 4,000 victims, and the insecurity in the region has led to the exodus of thousands of people. 

Compiled by Christopher Hurst