Theological reflection in independent Mozambique (1975-2022)

• Autor(a) principal: Maria, Ester Lucas José
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.34632/ephata.2023.15976

A retrospective look at the historical and ecclesial context of Mozambique in the reception of the Gospel enables a reading of the path taken by the Church in Mozambique from the first time the Eucharist was celebrated on Mozambican soil in the distant year of 1498. It is a fascinating journey which reflects the challenges of the reception of the Christian faith and its appropriation as translated into the coherent experience of discipleship in the face of the challenges of history. This article seeks to offer a brief reading of the history of the Christian and Catholic faith in Mozambique, based on the pastoral letters of the Bishops and the synodal reflections of the Church in Mozambique. The option for a ministerial Church, organized into small Christian communities was fundamental for the deepening of the faith and for the lay witnessing in the darkest moments of the country’s history, especially when the political class opted for a Marxist-Leninist ideology. The Church, while despoiled and persecuted, purified its faith and the significance of following Christ increased. The challenge now is to continue to be a prophetic Church in an indifferent society.