To the Bishops and the faithful of Mozambique: IMBISA brings a message of solidarity to you, our brothers and sisters, in particular, the family of Bishop Osório and the faithful of the Diocese of Quelimane and the Archdiocese of Beira.
As the shock and anger at the violent death of our dear brother persist, so does our faith in the Lord Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), who is with you in your preparations to lay him to rest. May the Lord who is our rock, our fortress and our deliverer (Ps. 17:3) strengthen you as you pave the way from tragedy to hope, from death to life.
We remember fondly Bishop Osório’s lively and sustained participation in the IMBISA workshop on mental health and self-care for bishops. On that occasion, which gathered the region’s recently ordained bishops, our brother met some of his former classmates and established new friendships in the region’s episcopacy. We mourn his tragic death together with his fellow participants with whom he lived in communion for those few days.
We recall with gratitude how Bishop Osório, when he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Maputo, insisted on continuing his ministry of sharing the Word of God on the Sunday reflections published on the IMBISA website. It is something that sustains him, he said, and now that he was to become bishop, he dares not stop this duty, and so he continued. His last reflection was published on Sunday 15 May 2026. It remains for us a lasting testimony of his invaluable work as Scripture scholar.
And of course, we call to mind his spirited participation at our plenary session in Manzini last year where he facilitated his group in the Conversation in the Spirit. We were truly enriched.
The words of St Paul is a stark reminder of our brother’s violent death: “in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, the church” (Colossians 1:24). May this steward of God’s word and sacrament, Bishop Osório, who has brought to completion his task among us, rest in peace. May justice be done and may peace embrace you (Ps. 85:10).
Yours in Christ,
Archbishop Liborius Nashenda, OMI
IMBISA President