A historic church in Mozambique, located in Meza (Cabo Delgado region), was reduced to rubble during an attack by jihadist insurgents on 30 April. According to sources on the ground reporting to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), armed militants entered the parish of St Louis de Montfort in Minhoene at approximately 4:00 PM, setting fire to the church, offices, and the missionaries’ residence.
The attack on the historic church in Mozambique in Meza
The parish, founded in 1946, served as an important landmark for the Catholic presence in a majority-Muslim region. While the Cameroonian missionaries currently serving the community were not present and remain safe, civilians were captured and forced to listen to speeches of hatred while witnessing the destruction of their infrastructure.
Bishop António Juliasse of Pemba described the devastation in a message to ACN:
“It was a scene of terror. Homes, infrastructure, all destroyed, and the historic parish reduced to rubble. (…) For nine years, we have watched the insurgents burn chapels and churches in the Diocese of Pemba. But the faith of God’s people will never burn, everyday it is rebuilt!”.
Humanitarian crisis and interreligious peace
Archbishop Inácio Saure of Nampula, president of the Mozambican Bishops’ Conference, stated that these attacks go against the nation’s culture of peaceful coexistence. He called for an end to the killing and urged the public to avoid Islamophobia, stating that «Muslims are not our enemies, they are our beloved brethren».
The conflict in Cabo Delgado province has reached critical levels since 2017:
-
Casualties: At least 6,300 deaths and over one million displaced people.
-
Religious Persecution: At least 300 Catholics brutally killed in targeted attacks, including pastoral agents and Sister Maria de Coppi.
-
Property Damage: At least 118 churches and chapels have been destroyed since the insurgency began.
ACN continues to stand with the Church in Mozambique, providing humanitarian aid, psycho-social support, and rebuilding efforts. The Holy See has also maintained proximity to the region; in December 2025, Cardinal Pietro Parolin visited Cabo Delgado to hear first-hand testimonies from the victims.
