Pilgrimage to Marian Shrine in Mozambique Ends With Call on Christians to be Witnesses of Peace

In brief

Priests and faithful participating in the 23rd Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Mary Mother of Africa Shrine in Mozambique have been urged to reject violence, hatred, rumors, and slander. During the closing Mass of the pilgrimage in Alua, Father Raimundo Mário Ramano, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Nacala, called on Christians to act as witnesses of peace and light within their families and communities.

Father Ramano stated that true peace starts in the individual heart and must show in daily relationships. He challenged pilgrims to ensure their journey leads to lasting personal transformation rather than just a physical return home. He noted that believers cannot serve as instruments of peace if they continue to hold onto bitterness, resentment, or unresolved wounds.

The Vicar General explained that peace involves more than the absence of armed conflict. He encouraged the faithful to seek visible changes in their lives, such as healing resentment, restoring relationships through forgiveness, and strengthening communities through dialogue.