Mozambique: Catholic church in Cabo Delgado rejects accusations against its bishop – DW

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Mozambique: Catholic church in Cabo Delgado rejects accusations against its bishop – DW

5:10 CAT | 11 Nov 2019

FILE: Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa has been accused of inciting violence in Cabo Delgado. [File photo. DW]

The Catholic church in Cabo Delgado has reacted to the publication of an article in the Mozambican newspaper “O Público” claiming that Bishop of Pemba, Dom Luiz Fernado Lisboa, is creating disorder and violence, with a strongly worded denial.

An article published in Mozambican weekly “O Público” accused Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa of sowing division and racism within the church, and of inciting violence and hatred, promoting division, and disrespecting national symbols.

The Catholic church in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, flatly rejects accusations, labelling the article “misleading and biased”.

According to the newspaper, Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa has promoted racism in the diocese and is involved in the illegal exploitation of mineral resources. To achieve his goals, he has set up structures composed of supposed nuns from his native country Brazil, alienating “black priests”, Lusa reports.

The paper bases its accusations on a letter allegedly sent by Mozambican Catholic priests to the government, in which they denounce the clergyman’s racist stance and call for his expulsion from the country.

Mosambik Pemba Denis Alexandre Gabreil — *Father Dinis Gabriel speaking at the press conference*

Attempt to destroy church image

There have been a number of reactions since the story came out. Last Thursday, Pemba clergy called a press conference to distance themselves from the letter.

Spokesman Father Dinis Gabriel came out in defence of Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa, stating “our repudiation of the sensationalist, misleading and untruthful content of the above article.” “We consider that the text was constructed based on manipulated and biased information, falsehoods and the desire to destroy the image of our church built over 60 years ago. This is ‘fake news’ contrary to journalistic ethics and obligations, ” he added

A Mozambican Episcopal Commission press release on Monday 4 November also repudiated the article as “false and slanderous”.

“The commitment and desire of all Catholic bishops is for peace, reconciliation and hope to reign in our country. The Episcopal Commission urges the owners of the weekly and those who lay down its editorial line to be promoters of truth and peace, and not to promote obscure interests detrimental to the country,” the statement reads.

Transmit message of peace

Regarding the bishop’s comments on the armed attacks in the province, the newspaper says that Dom Luiz Fernando Lisboa, instead of comforting the population and encouraging the government, does the opposite, criticising the government for allegedly doing nothing to defend the victims of the attacks.

Father Dinis Gabriel condemned the newspaper’s attitude, appealing to the weekly to heed the message of peace. Gabriel said he felt that by “using its communicative capacity and competence to destroy rather than to build”, the newspaper was “doing little service to Mozambican society, anxious for peace” and attacking the “real commitment of the Catholic Church to this cause”.

Father Gabriel was unequivocal about the position of the Catholic Church in Pemba: “We reaffirm our unconditional support for and solidarity with our bishop and pastor at this time of persecution and slander.”

Source: Deutsche Welle