(OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV mourned Cardinal Júlio Duarte Langa, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Xai-Xai in Mozambique, who died Aug. 3 while undergoing treatment in Maputo Central Hospital.
The 98-year-old cardinal had remained an influential figure within the Catholic Church in the southeastern African country. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief in the region, where the impact of his work as champion of social justice and human rights was felt.
Pope Leo XIV pays tribute to Cardinal Júlio Duarte Langa
“I wish to express at this time my spiritual solidarity and my condolences to the episcopate of Mozambique, to the family of this beloved brother, to the diocese he devotedly served, and to the entire country, which mourns the loss of such a distinguished a shepherd,” Pope Leo said in a telegram to Archbishop Francisco Chimoio, apostolic administrator of Xai-Xai.
The pope said Cardinal Langa had devoted himself with simplicity, zeal and perseverance to the flock entrusted to his care.
“Faithful to Jesus, Master and Lord, he learned from him the art of closeness in the shepherding of souls, devoting himself with simplicity, zeal and perseverance to the flock entrusted to him, without allowing himself to be discouraged by difficulties, instead seeing them as places in need of the Good News,” the pope said.
A lifetime of service to the Catholic Church in Mozambique
Born on Oct. 27, 1927, in Mangunze, Cardinal Langa was the first bishop of Xai- Xai and the second cardinal in Mozambique.
He attended the seminaries of Magude and Namaacha and was ordained a priest on June 9, 1957, in what was the then-Cathedral of Lourenço Marques, now known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
“Cardinal Júlio devoted his life to the service of the Church, to peace, reconciliation and social justice, leaving an unforgettable witness of humility, faith and closeness to the people,” said the Mozambique bishops’ conference in a statement following his death.
“His legacy remains alive in the history of the Catholic Church in Mozambique as an example of faith, simplicity, perseverance, and love for the People of God. We raise our prayers that the Lord of Life may welcome him into the fullness of His Kingdom and grant comfort to all who today mourn his passing,” the Aug. 3 statement said.
Leading the Diocese of Xai-Xai through war and reconstruction
St. Paul VI appointed him the bishop of João Belo on May 31, 1976. With the city’s name changed to Xai-Xai, he became the first Mozambican bishop of the Diocese of Xai-Xai, leading it for 28 years during a period marked by national independence, civil war and the country’s reconstruction.
“He distinguished himself by his closeness to the most vulnerable communities and by his commitment to evangelization, the formation of the clergy, and the translation of the documents of the Second Vatican Council into Mozambican languages,” said the country’s bishops.
On Feb. 14, 2015, Pope Francis made him a cardinal in recognition of his long pastoral dedication and his witness of humble service to the Church. He was the second cardinal in the history of Mozambique. Cardinal Langa retired in 2004 but remained close to the diocese.
Church and national leaders honor Cardinal Langa’s legacy
The Interregional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa mourned the cardinal as a man of steadfast faith and dedication to the Gospel.
“He leaves behind a luminous legacy of service to the Church and to his neighbor,” said the bishops in an Aug. 4 message.
President Daniel Chapo also sent a message of condolences mourning the cardinal as a profound human and spiritual model for the people of Mozambique.
Chapo also highlighted the cardinal’s “total dedication” to the communities under his pastoral leadership.
Fredrick Nzwili writes for OSV News from Nairobi, Kenya.
