Mozambique’s Catholic Diocese of Pemba “drama of flight” as Islamists attack villages

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pemba in Mozambique, has reported of an “immense crowd” fleeing in despair as jihadists wreak havoc across villages in the embattled Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado.

Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) International, the Catholic Pontifical and charity foundation, Bishop António Juliasse Ferreira Sandramo said that those fleeing are avoiding the “same fate of those who were beheaded or shot” in attacks that have already occurred “in dozens of villages” that were “reduced to ashes” and “where all Christian chapels were destroyed”.

In a February 22 report, the Mozambican Catholic Bishop spoke of a “drama of flight”, an “authentic population exodus”, saying that those fleeing are seeking refuge in the province of Nampula, adjacent to Cabo Delgado.

“We are witnessing the complete flight of these populations, not only those who were targets of jihadist attacks, but also those who fear the proximity of armed groups,” the Bishop said, and added, “The populations of villages already reduced to ashes are fleeing, as are the populations of villages that now find themselves at risk of being attacked.”

“Many follow a path that is only certain of the starting point and go in search of a safe place. I don’t know where they will find it… maybe, the least insecure one,” the Mozambiquan Catholic Church leader said.

In the latest spate of attacks in Chiúre, Bishop Sandramo estimates that a dozen villages, some very populous, were targeted, with the destruction of homes and institutions.

“In these villages, all Christian chapels were destroyed,” he said, and explained, “The highest point so far was the attack on Mazeze, the administrative post of the Chiúre district, with the destruction of so many government public and social infrastructures, as well as our Mission, which provided a lot of social support to the people of the region.”

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As war rages on in other parts of the world, the the Prelate expressed concern that the persecution of Christians in Mozambique is going unreported.

“The biggest risk is that there will be forgotten faces due to other wars in the world”, Bishop Sandramo said of the victims of Islamist attacks in Cabo Delgado.

So far, the Diocese of Pemba has asked missionaries from the attacked places, who the Bishop said have also been displaced, to accompany the fleeing populations and respond to their pastoral needs.