The Catholic Church in Nampula says it is distancing itself from the candidacy of Father Fernão Magalhães for governor of this northern province of Mozambique by the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), pointing out that this decision is beyond ecclesiastical legislation.

According to a communiqué distributed in Nampula and quoted by AIMArchbishop Inácio Saure, who is also president of the Episcopal Council of Mozambique, learned of Father Magalhães' candidacy through the press and without his knowledge, in his capacity as hierarchical superior.

"This decision is contrary to ecclesiastical legislation that prevents clerics from taking part in positions that imply participation in the exercise of civil power, as established by Canon Law," the statement said, stressing that "clerics are forbidden to take on positions that imply participation in the exercise of power."

According to the note, "Archbishop Inácio Saure tried to persuade Father Fernão Magalhães to withdraw his candidacy, to which he did not agree and, furthermore, began his participation in the electoral campaign".

"The candidacy (of Father Fernão Magalhães) is an exclusively personal matter and has nothing to do with the Archdiocese and the entire Catholic Church. If Father Fernão Magalhães doesn't give up his candidacy, he could be penalized with a ban on the exercise of acts and rights and power acquired from holy orders," adds the note, stressing that the priest will also incur the most serious penalty without excluding the possibility of losing the clerical state.

Father Fernão Magalhães, according to the statement, has stepped down as parish priest of Czuzu, in the Murrupula district.

(Photo DR)