The Holy Father Leo XIV, today, April 10, 2026, has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Beira (Mozambique) submitted by Msgr. Claudio Dalla Zuanna, S.C.I., and has appointed as Apostolic Administrator of the same Archdiocese Msgr. Osório Citora Afonso, IMC, current Bishop of the Diocese of Quelimane, until the installation of the future archbishop.
By Editorial Staff*
“From the Nunciature I received the news of the serious health condition of Msgr. Cláudio Dalla Zuanna, before being informed of their intention to appoint me Apostolic Administrator,” said the Consolata missionary, Msgr. Osório Afonso. “Certainly, my first feeling is one of compassion for the situation of this great missionary and Archbishop, my elder brother, for whom I pray for his health and that he may find healing. Although my pastoral responsibility is directed to the Diocese of Quelimane, where I have been for almost seven months, I have accepted this assignment as a mission from God and entrust everything into His hands,” the bishop explained.
Curriculum Vitae
Msgr. Osório Citora Afonso, IMC, was born on May 6, 1972, in Ribaue (Nampula, Mozambique). He attended the Christ the King preparatory Seminary in Matola (Maputo) and studied Philosophy at St. Augustine Major Seminary in Matola and Theology at the Institut Saint Eugène de Mazenod in Kinshasa. He made his Perpetual Profession in 2001 in the Consolata Missionaries Institute in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and was ordained a priest on November 3, 2002.
He has held the following positions and pursued further studies: Parochial Vicar and Bursar at St. Hilaire in Kinshasa (2002–2005); Regional Councillor for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2005–2006); Licentiate in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (2006–2010); Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (2008–2009) and the École Biblique et Archéologique Française in Jerusalem (2010–2011); Member of the Council of the General House in Rome (2008–2010); Local collaborator of the Apostolic Nunciature in Kinshasa (2011–2013); Formator and Bursar of the Theological Seminary of Kinshasa (2011–2013); Superior of the Missionary Center of the Diocese of Vittorio Veneto (2014–2016); Superior of Casa Milaico in Treviso (2014–2016); Regional Councillor for Italy, Treviso (2016–2017); Formator at the International Theological Seminary of Bravetta, Rome (2016–2017); Official at the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches (2017–2023).
On September 21, 2023, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Maputo, receiving episcopal ordination on January 28, 2024. On July 25, 2025, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Quelimane. He is currently the Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Mozambique and a contributor to the website consolata.org, where he publishes reflections on the Sunday liturgical readings.
* Communications Office with information from the Holy See Press Office.
