Mozambique: Church in Nampula seeks self-sustainability in its 2025-2026 pastoral plan

Cremildo Alexandre - Nampula

Inspired by the Gospel dictum, “Give them something to eat,” the Nampula prelate has called for sharing, stewardship of resources, and community commitment—within a local Church called to serve the poorest and to live responsibly within its resources.

Give them something to eat

The Archdiocese of Nampula begins the 2025-2026 pastoral year under the Biblical theme, “Give them something to eat” (Mt 14:16), proposed by Archbishop Inácio, as the spiritual and pastoral guide for the entire archdiocesan family. The choice of this motto places community responsibility, sharing, and the urgent pursuit of the local Church’s economic self-sustainability efforts at the centre of pastoral ministry.

In his Pastoral Letter, the Archbishop highlights that the reality of the Archdiocese reflects a deep contrast: potentially rich in its people and raw material, yet concretely poor in terms of actual means. For Archbishop Inácio, self-sustainability is not merely an administrative matter but also an evangelical imperative, as the Church’s mission requires well-managed and well-financed projects and pastoral programmes.

Church Finances are not taboo

The Nampula Diocese document emphasises that discussing Church’s finances should never be taboo. On the contrary, it is a necessary dimension to ensure the integrity, freedom, and effectiveness of pastoral mission. “Spiritual good cannot be separated from material good,” affirms the diocese’s chief shepherd, calling for transparent, organised, and responsible financial management, building on efforts already initiated in previous pastoral plans.

Archbishop Inácio also recalls Jesus’ gesture of multiplying loaves, highlighting sharing as a concrete response to social inequalities and poverty affecting many families in the Archdiocese of Nampula. The realities of unemployment, usury, lack of access to health services, education, and adequate nutrition, among others, challenge the Mozambican Church to be a sign of hope, fraternity, and mutual care.

A more solidarity-driven Church

Reflecting on history, the Pastoral Letter recalls the journey of the Church in Mozambique, from colonial times to independence, post-independence as a passage characterised by conflict and brief periods of collaboration with the State.  According to the Archbishop, there is need for healthy cooperation and relations between the Church and state. An important aspect of this relationship should be characterised by a Church free from dependency, so that it maintains its liberty and remains faithful to its core evangelizing mission.

In conclusion, Archbishop Inácio calls on parishes, communities, movements, and the Christian faithful to take ownership and commit to “feeding” others today: sharing what they have, avoiding waste, caring for the common goods, and building a more solidarity-driven, responsible, and self-sustaining Church in Nampula.