The Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM) has released the official schedule for the funeral ceremonies of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, bishop of the Diocese of Quelimane in Zambezia Province, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Beira in Sofala, and secretary-general of the CEM, who was murdered in the early hours of Saturday, June 6, at the episcopal residence.
In a statement released by the Club of Mozambique, the organization announced that the funeral ceremonies will take place in the cities of Quelimane and Nampula, in the central and northern regions of the country, in accordance with the canonical and liturgical norms of the Catholic Church applicable to diocesan bishops.
According to the published schedule, the solemn funeral Mass will be presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Mozambique, Bishop Luís Miguel Muñoz Cárdaba, on Friday, June 12, at 9:00 a.m., at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Deliverance in Quelimane. Following the service, Bishop Osório’s remains will be transported to the city of Nampula, where the family will pay their respects and the burial will take place.
“Upon arrival in Nampula, the body will be received at the Consolata School in the Nampaco neighborhood, where a wake open to the faithful and the Christian community will be held. On Saturday, June 13, the remains will be transferred to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Fatima, a place of particular significance in the prelate’s life, as it was there that he was baptized, confirmed, and ordained,” the statement read.
According to the institution, Bishop Osório Citora Afonso will be buried at the Clerical Cemetery of the Archdiocese of Nampula, located next to the Mater Apostolorum Preparatory Seminary in Nampaco.
In its message, the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique invited the faithful and all people of good will to live this period of mourning in a spirit of faith, hope, and communion, giving thanks to God for the prelate’s life and ministry. “Rest in peace, Bishop Osório! Your witness remains alive in the Universal Church and in the hearts of the Mozambican people,” it concluded.
In a report, Vatican News revealed that Pope Leo XIV received “with sorrow” the news of the “grave act of violence” that caused the death of the Mozambican prelate. The reaction was conveyed by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, via the Vatican’s Telegram channel.
“Pope Leo XIV has learned with deep sorrow of the grave act of violence that led to the death of His Excellency Osório Citora Afonso, Bishop of Quelimane and Apostolic Administrator of Beira, and joins the people of the diocese and of Mozambique in prayer at this time of confusion,” states the message released by the Holy See.
For its part, the European Union (EU) described Bishop Osório’s death as a “profound loss for the Catholic community and for Mozambican society,” arguing that national authorities must ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
The U.S. Embassy in Mozambique expressed its condolences over the bishop’s death, highlighting his legacy of service to Mozambican communities. Washington acknowledged the efforts already announced by national authorities to clarify the case but emphasized the importance of a thorough, transparent, and accountability-focused investigation.
The President of the Republic, Daniel Chapo, also expressed deep sorrow over the prelate’s death, calling it an irreparable loss not only for the Christian community but for all of Mozambican society.
On Monday, June 8, African Catholic bishops condemned the murder of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, describing the crime as a grave attack on human dignity, religious freedom, and the values of peace and justice.
“The act constitutes not only an attack on the life and dignity of a devoted servant of the Gospel, but also an attack on the fundamental values of peace, justice, human dignity, and religious freedom,” states the communiqué signed by the president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SCEAM), Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa.
The bishop was found dead on Saturday, June 6, at the premises of the episcopal residence in Quelimane. According to information released by the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Bishop Osório was shot multiple times in the chest and heart area and did not survive his injuries. The motives for the crime remain unknown and are under investigation.
A member of the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries, Osório Citora Afonso was elected bishop of Quelimane on July 25, 2025, and was appointed in April of this year by Pope Leo XIV as Interim Administrator of the Archdiocese of Beira, according to a statement from the Presidency.
