Mozambique: Government temporarily suspends Old Apostolic Church

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Mozambique: Government temporarily suspends Old Apostolic Church

6:19 CAT | 21 Oct 2022

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: TVM]

The government has temporarily suspended the Old Apostolic Church of Mozambique from all religious activities at national level, under an order from the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, signed by Helena Kida.

The order, dated October 18, 2022, justifies the decision by the need to avoid “disastrous consequences that result from the violence that we have been given to witness within this congregation”.

The atmosphere in the Old Apostolic Church has been characterised by instability and misunderstanding among the members, which culminated in the removal of Jaime Matlombe from its leadership.

In reaction, the Old Apostolic Church in Mozambique says that the measure will safeguard the principles of believers, with the emphasis on internal peace.

“This measure, to a certain extent, is right for a very simple reason,” said church representative Elídio Mavume. “The group identified, which supports the Apostle Emeritus Jaime César Matlhombe, was trying actions of violence here because they do not want to conform to the resolution that the apostolate announced on the 6th of the current month. There is no way to solve a problem at a time when everyone is whining; it is necessary first to understand why they are crying and what the reason for the conflict is.”

The church says it is working to resume activities as soon as possible. The congregation revealed that it has already submitted a document to the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs with some points to be taken into account for this purpose and awaits a response.

“We will, in fact, find a way to solve the problem because the apostolic nation is, at this moment, sad because it wants to go to church, but at the same time we embrace this action in a positive way because it aims to put an end to a problem that calls into question the good name of the church and of the believers themselves,” said Elídio Mavume, another church representative.

The Christian Council of Mozambique says it is not enough to suspend the activities of the church; it needs henceforth to be monitored by the competent authorities.

“Suspending is an attitude that must have something right after it so that the measure is not to push people further away, but to reconcile as soon as possible. Therefore, I appeal to a segment at the Ministry level to ensure that the program takes place without turmoil,” the council’s Felicidade Chirinda says.

Jaime Matlombe ceased to be the leader of the Old Apostolic Church of Mozambique about two weeks ago.

Source: Rádio Moçambique / O País