M O Z A M B I Q U E

The Justice & Peace Group have written to his Excellency the High Commissioner for Mozambique as a result of a plea for assistance through the National Justice and Peace Network.

The case refers to the town of Nampula where a Sister of the Sisters of the Servants of Mary Immaculate was recently murdered. This community of Sisters had recently drawn the attention of Church authorities and the world at large, to the abduction of children in Nampula who are murdered and their organs extracted and sold. The Sisters run an orphanage where they have tried to shelter children from this appalling practice by local gangs.

We felt particularly moved to protest in this case, not just because of these appalling crimes, but also because as the parish of Sacred Heart and Mary Immaculate, we feel it is all the more appropriate that the Sisters of the Servants of Mary Immaculate have our support.

If you would like to write in protest, you can copy our sample letter as above. If you would like further information on this subject, please look at the web site of Independent Catholic News, who have been monitoring developments in this story for some time. If you do not wish to write, please remember these children and this courageous community of Sisters in your prayers.

Immaculate Heart of Mary………..pray for us

Justice and Peace Group

2 Flower Lane
Mill Hill
NW7 2JB
E Mail: JandP@shmi.info

4th March 2004

His Excellency the High Commissioner for Mozambique
Mr Antonio Gumende
High Commissioner for Mozambique
21 Fitzroy Square
London
W1T 6EL

Your Excellency,

Re: Human Organ Trafficking in Mozambique

We have been monitoring recent press reports alleging cases of the trafficking of human organs in Mozambique.

The reports of this practice particularly centred on the city of Nampula, are especially repellent as they involve the murder of children in order to have their organs extracted. Information acquired by our own Church contacts reveal that the local authorities have been slow and ineffectual in investigating these matters, therefore we draw them to your attention. We also denounce the murder of our sister in faith, Sister Doraci Edinger of the Servants of Mary Immaculate, who was beaten and strangled to death in her home north of Nampula. In the light of this gruesome murder, we are deeply concerned for the safety of Sister Maria Elida dos Santos and those of her Sisters who have been protecting children in an orphanage from abduction by gangs organising this trafficking. Sister dos Santos has brought this terrible situation to the attention of the world, and we await the response of your government.

We cannot believe that a government and society in any civilised country could allow these practises to continue without efficient investigation. We insist that a meticulous and competent investigation is immediately conducted in this area and throughout your country, to ensure that anyone found to be involved in these vile practises is imprisoned without delay and will face a full judicial process. We also insist that the safety and well-being of Religious Communities and the children they protect is treated as a priority by the authorities. We draw your attention to all United Nations documentation on the rights of children.

Your Excellency, I trust that you will bring these serious concerns, which I have outlined, to the immediate attention of your government.

Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of
Justice & Peace Group
Parish of Sacred Heart & Mary Immaculate
Mill Hill, London