Church consecrates Guinea-Bissau to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and calls for reconciliation

Casimiro Jorge Cajucam – Bissau

All parishes in Guinea-Bissau simultaneously celebrated the Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, replacing the traditional national pilgrimage to Cacheu, which was cancelled this year due to the country’s political climate.

On 26 November 2025, a day before the expected official national election results, the country’s military announced a military coup.

Mary, Queen of Peace

In consecrating the country to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in the Bissau Cathedral, the Bishops of Bissau and Bafata Dioceses, accompanied by priests, religious, and faithful, prayed that the Blessed Virgin Mary would accompany the nation in this “hour of tribulation.”

The Church acknowledged that the country faces political disputes, violations of fundamental human rights, drug trafficking, corruption, and loss of trust among citizens—wounds that, according to the Church, “disassemble the dream of peace and affect the hopes of young people.”

During the act of consecration, read by Bishop Victor Quematcha, prayers were recited for forgiveness of greed, indifference, selfishness, and violence, and that Mary, Queen of Nativity, remind the people that God would never abandon Guinea-Bissau.

The Mother of God was invoked as Queen of Peace and spiritual guide of the nation, with requests that she not let the country drown in conflicts, inspire paths of reconciliation, extinguish hatred and vengeance, teach forgiveness, and preserve religious freedom. The faithful prayed for peace in Guinea-Bissau and the world.

Builders of peace

The act concluded with a call for hope, asking divine mercy to renew the country and that “the sweet beat of peace return to guide the national life.” The Church exhorted Guineans to become “artisans of communion and builders of peace.”