Cabo Delgado: “If I were afraid, I wouldn’t be a bishop” – Dom António Juliasse

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Cabo Delgado: “If I were afraid, I wouldn’t be a bishop” – Dom António Juliasse

11:37 CAT | 12 Feb 2021

File photo: Vatican News

The new bishop sent to the diocese of Pemba, António Juliasse Sandramo, praises the work of his predecessor, Luiz Fernando Lisboa, and says the priority now is to “move forward” in the humanitarian field.

Pope Francis has appointed the auxiliary bishop of the Maputo diocese, Dom António Juliasse Sandramo, to the post of Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the diocese of Pemba, replacing Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa, who will be transferred to Brazil.

Dom Luiz was considered one of the most active voices in denouncing the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, where attacks have displaced more than 560,000 people. In an interview with DW Africa, Dom António Juliasse says that he does not take anything in his luggage to Pemba except a great desire to work and help the tens of thousands of people displaced by the violence in the province.

DW Africa: Will it be a challenge to replace one of the loudest voices denouncing the attacks in Cabo Delgado?

Bishop António Juliasse (AJ): The bishops of Mozambique [always] took a collegial position in relation to what happens in Pemba. The voice that was most heard was that of Dom Luiz, because it is his place. He was the pastor of his people; he dominated reality, he had to give voice.

DW Africa: What baggage do you take to Cabo Delgado?

AJ: I believe that the job now is to see how to help those suffering and how to make advances in the humanitarian field, especially so that the people who are in those situations find hope again and believe in the possibility of improving their lives and taking a new direction, moving forward. Perhaps, I will also be a “hand,” or a”rock” in that perspective.

DW Africa: From what you discussed with Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa, what is the scenario in the province at the moment?

AJ: Refugees continue to [arrive], not in large numbers, as in the past, but there are people who continue to arrive for help. Refugee camps need to be consolidated. It is true that there is a lot of solidarity at the national and international level. [But] the situation is still complex, and [only] being on the ground can we take an X-ray for the intervention.

DW Africa: The Episcopal Conference of Mozambique has always been an active voice, denouncing the atrocities in Cabo Delgado. Is it a role that you will continue to play?

AJ: The Episcopal Conference of Mozambique wrote letters showing its great concern about the situation in Cabo Delgado and, at the time of certain misunderstandings, the Episcopal Conference was clearly on the side of Dom Luiz, and encouraged him whenever he was the voice of that people. And that part is already done.

DW Africa: Do you think these misunderstandings were intentional, to tarnish the name of the Catholic Church?

AJ: The important thing is not to highlight the misunderstandings, the important thing is to clarify the truth.

DW Africa: Was Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa replaced because of the accusations he made about the attacks in Cabo Delgado?

AJ: There is a diocese in Brazil that has been without a bishop since 2018, and the Holy Father thought that Dom Luiz could be pastor of that diocese at this moment in time. The Church does not make decisions because of what people think.

DW Africa: Do you fear that at some point people will also misinterpret you, if you eventually have to raise your voice?

AJ: No, I’m not afraid at all. If I was afraid, I wouldn’t be a bishop.

Also read: Pope Francis names new Auxiliary Bishop for Maputo, Mozambique

Source: Deutsche Welle