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by Father Robert P. Maloney, C.M. (former Superior
General)
My visit to Mozambique left a deep impression on me.
Mozambique is frequently described now as the poorest
country in the world. It was ravaged by a 15-year civil war
that finally ended in 1992. While peace has reigned rather
consistently since then, there are still many signs of the
violence that ruined so many of the country's structures.
Burnt-out trucks and cars line the highways making you think
of those who died under attack in them. Transportation from
one part of the country to the other is difficult, since the
roads are still very poor, with holes all over them. The
schools have broken windows, shattered doors, and no desks
and chairs. Students sit on the floor, which is often
strewn with dust and garbage. Hospitals are dirty, poorly
staffed, and lacking in medicine and sanitary procedures.
Ninety-two percent of the population does not know how to
read or write.
The paradox is that the country actually has rich
potential. The land is fertile and there are abundant
rivers. Unfortunately, some of the irrigation projects that
functioned well in the past have now been completely
destroyed, but at least they are a sign of what might be
done.
I found the people very welcoming. Both the Vincentians
and Daughters of Charity who work in Mozambique attest
to the hospitality of the people. We had some wonderful
liturgical celebrations in the various villages, with lots
of dancing and singing in native languages.
Among our priests and sisters I found many heroes. They
stayed in Mozambique all during the many years of guerrilla
warfare and civil war. Many people, for reasons that are
understandable, fled from the country at that time. Many
were also killed. The Mozambicans deeply appreciate the
fidelity of missionaries who stayed and continued to serve,
even in the most trying circumstances. Many of the lay
people too are heroes, since they witnessed nobly to their
faith during the period of the Communist takeover.
I was very touched when I visited the hospitals that the
Daughters of Charity run. One of these is dedicated almost
exclusively to young women who are about to give birth to
children. There they receive instruction on prenatal care,
medical assistance during the birth of the child, and
further instruction and postnatal care. Tragically about
20% of the women who come are HIV positive. They, and their
babies will almost certainly die. Many others die from
malaria, dysentery, tuberculosis, and other diseases which,
in other parts of the world, are easily treated. The
Daughters do wonderful work in trying to raise the level of
consciousness about infectious diseases.
A Call for You
In the past, the Association has helped American missionaries in Taiwan or Kenya and
other worldwide missions of the Vincentians. If you would like to make a donation to help
the foreign missions continue their good work, you can do so by contacting the Association.
It is an opportunity for you to answer Christ's call to "make disciples of all nations."
Jesus said to his disciples, "But when the Son of Man comes,
will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8) Vincentian missionaries bring the faith to the
remotest and poorest places of the earth. And you can help them.
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