By Paul Fauvet
Maputo (MOZTIMES) - Unknown assailants murdered the Catholic bishop of the central Mozambican city of Quelimane, Osório Afonso, at his home on Saturday.
The Zambezia provincial spokesperson for the National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic), Maximino Amilcar, told reporters that the killers shot Afonso in the heart in the small hours of Saturday morning.
The criminals climbed over the wall surrounding the bishop’s residence, knocked out the electric security devices protecting the house, and then opened fire against Afonso. The killers used an AK-47 assault rifle.
Amilcar gave no further details of the murder, but promised more information would be released when available. So far no motive for the crime is known.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo expressed his sorrow at the death of the bishop. He issued a statement describing Afonso’s death as “an irreparable loss for Mozambican society in general and for the Christian community in particular”.
Chapo praised the late bishop for his humility and dedication and for preaching the values of peace and reconciliation.
Former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, generally regarded as the leader of the opposition, declared “the tragic loss of such a relevant voice for the Catholic Church and for Mozambican society is a painful blow against the values of peace, reconciliation and dialogue in our country”. (MT)
