The Catholic Diocese of Quelimane in Mozambique has been thrown into mourning following the shooting to death of their vocal and courageous Chief Shepherd, Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, IMC, in his residence by unidentified gunmen.
According to local authorities, unknown gunmen stormed the bishop’s residence in the early hours of June 6 and shot the 54-year- old prelate in the chest.
Bishop’s residence at Quelimane.
Bishop Afonso publicly condemned Jihadi attacks in Mozambique
Advocatus Africa learnt that a few weeks ago, Bishop Afonso, who also doubles as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Beira, publicly condemned jihadi-terrorist attacks in Mozambique, urging Catholics to remain united in faith.
Bishop Osório Citora Afonso, IMC.
He is renowned for calling for peace, unity and solidarity within communities suffering from violence in the country.
The passing of Bishop Osório Citora Afonso marks a profound loss for the Church in Mozambique, the Consolata Missionaries,
In a message communicated by Archbishop Inácio Saúre, President of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique, to the Regional Superior of the Consolata Missionaries in Mozambique, Fr. Cassiano Kalima, IMC, Archbishop Saúre reported that Bishop Afonso was found lifeless in a corridor of the episcopal residence in Quelimane.
Fr. Kalima, who described the death as tragic, urged the faithful to unite in prayer for the repose of the bishop’s soul, his family, the Consolata Missionaries, and the entire Catholic Church in Mozambique.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul, “Through the intercession of Our Lady of Consolata and Saint Joseph Allamano.”
Priestly and Episcopal Ministry
Born on May 6, 1972, in Ribaue, Nampula Province, Mozambique, Bishop Afonso studied Philosophy at the Santo Agostinho Major Seminary and Theology at the Institut Saint-Eugène de Mazenod in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He was ordained a priest on November 3, 2002, after taking his perpetual profession as a Consolata Missionary in 2001.
As a priest, he worked across Africa and Europe in various capacities, in parish ministry, seminary formation, missionary leadership, and service at the Dicastery for Evangelization in Rome.
He bagged a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and undertook biblical studies in Jerusalem.
Bishop Afonso.
Widely respected as a scripture scholar and missionary pastor, Bishop Afonso was acclaimed as one of the rising voices in the Catholic Church in Mozambique.
The prelate was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Maputo in September 2023 and consecrated on January 28, 2024. As providence would have it, he became the Bishop of Quelimane diocese in 2025 after being appointed by Pope Francis. Most recently, on April 10, 2026, Pope Leo also appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Beira.
Advocatus Africa gathered that the Church reposed a lot of confidence in him because of his gifts, talents, and leadership qualities, which include being a dedicated Consolata Missionary, serving as Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique and being a promoter of The Seed Magazine and many other publications of the Consolata Missionaries.
While his death is being investigated and Church leaders are urging prayers for the repose of his soul, Bishop Afonso is remembered for his humility, intelligence and missionary zeal to God and nation.
