Since my ordination, June 14th, 1997, I have been working in Mozambique. Mozambique is a new commitment for Maryknoll. The country was left in ruins by two different wars: independence (1964-1974) and civil war (1976-1992). Causing more destruction the civil war. The country is not just in poor shape structurally and economically even more so psychologically.

Mozambique is a country in construction and re-construction. During the colonial time the Portuguese had their way of treating the natives. The natives did not have the same rights nor were considered equals. Such treatment has left a scare in people's psyche of inferiority and lack of self-esteem. Then came the two wars which deepened even more the scared already present. The people are in what I call "a cultural limbo." Since the civil war had a great effect on the culture (traditional values were considered old fashion and a set back to progress). Therefore, all the good family values as well as social values; e.g. respect, responsibility, honesty, etc. were done with. Presently, the youth do not have the traditional cultural values or family values that generally would guide them as they are growing up. Consequently, there are lots of social problems: corruption, stealing, crimes, prostitution, etc.

As a Pastoral Counselor, I have been working with the youth in developing models and ways to process the cultural gaps. I have been doing "informal counseling" as a way of empowering them to process their stories of the war(s) in a "hanging out" way. In this way, the youth have been able to voice their experiences of the war(s) for the first time. The pain and the inhumanness of the war are beyond words yet it helps to voice that pain and to validate their experiences of the war(s). Some of them even have told me; "I feel much lighter now. It is as if a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders." And even others have said: "I never spoke to anyone about my feelings or fears inside me. you are the first person to whom I have spoken about it. I feel good that I have done so."

As a Catholic missionary priest, in Mozambique, I understand my mission to be a link or bridge of reconciliation. Reconciliation bridge for the Mozambican with the Mozambican, the Mozambican with the white and the Mozambican with God. Why? During the colonial time the country was divided between the Portuguese, the "assimilados" (those who absorb the Portuguese culture, language and values and rejected their own) and the "not assimilados" (those that did not rejected their own culture, language and values). Putting the Mozambican against the white and yet worse the Mozambican against their own.

How? whites were the "bosses and lords." They were the owners and the ones with the resources for a decent living. They were the ones who have access to schools and health services. They were the ones with good houses, cars, stores, etc. They were the ones to practice the "white supremacy" theory separating them, creating a big gap between whites and the natives (blacks). Then, the independence was declared in 1975 and with it the nationalization of everything. This meant that everything owned by whites was nationalized, including churches. Creating a feeling of pay back towards the Portuguese (white). Most of them had to abandoned the country in 48 hrs. Carrying only a bag of clothing and nothing else.

At the same time, the government declared the death of God by saying that God did not exist. Anyone who was catch praying in any way was put in jail or bit up. This was a reaction or persecution towards believers of all faiths; Christians and non-Christians. Brothers began to denounce their own brother, son against father, daughter against mother, etc. Causing the destruction of the family unity and values.

I believe that the people do need to hear that God loves them yet I feel that they need to feel it more than to hear it. The wartime showed them the worse side of the human race. Even God fearing people did "forget" about God. The Socialist/Communist Government (1975-1994) said that there was no God. The war proved them right. at least, so it seems. Why? How? Well, where was God during the war? Why did God allowed so much evil and suffering among innocent and good people. These are questions I get asked by the youth and people in general. The answers do not come easily. Words are easily said, yet they can be meaningless unless accompanied by good works. It is through "good works" (so do I believe) that God is manifested and God's presence is felt. It is through works of mercy and compassion, through works of brotherhood/sisterhood that we can face/meet God face to face.

As a missionary priest and Pastoral Counselor I am very conscious that I should not be "fixing" people's problems. My task is to empower them to do their own "fixing." This is part of my mission.

To be a missioner is a challenge that one has to face every day. What does it mean to be a missionary? To me, it means to be a witness and a voice of God's love, mercy and compassion for all peoples. In other words, that it is not enough to speak about God's love I must show God's love, God's mercy and God's compassion in my day to day living. This is the most important part of my mission work.

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