Catholic Bishop Killed In Mozambique

A Catholic Bishop recently appointed to a central region of Mozambique by Pope Leo XIV has been shot dead at his residence.

Bishop Osorio Citora Afonso, 54, was killed on Saturday at his home in Quelimane, in what the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique described as “mysterious circumstances.”

A spokesman for the country’s criminal investigations bureau, Maximino Amilcar, told reporters outside the late cleric’s residence that Afonso was shot in the chest.

According to him, the bishop was hit “probably with a single bullet.”

He described the incident as “murder by gunshot,” but said investigators were still working to establish the full details of the killing.

“It is not easy at this time to give details,” Amilcar said.

The Episcopal Conference of Mozambique, in its reaction, said Afonso was “found lifeless and in mysterious circumstances that need to be made clear.”

The church body said the circumstances surrounding the bishop’s death must be properly investigated.

Afonso’s killing has thrown the Catholic community in Mozambique into mourning, especially as he was only recently transferred to the diocese of Quelimane.

Mozambique’s President, Daniel Chapo, also mourned the cleric, describing his death as a major blow to the country.

In a statement, Chapo expressed “deep sadness” over the killing and described Afonso’s death as “an irreparable loss for Mozambican society.”

The president said the bishop’s passing was painful not only to the Catholic Church but also to the wider Mozambican society.

Afonso was born in Mozambique and had served the church in different countries before his appointment to Quelimane.

He had worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Italy before becoming auxiliary bishop in Maputo in 2023.

He was later appointed a bishop the following year.

In July 2025, Pope Leo XIV transferred him to the diocese of Quelimane, a central region of Mozambique.

Afonso’s death has raised concerns among church members and the wider public, as authorities continue investigations into the killing.