Mozambique

Located in southern Africa, Mozambique is noted for its coastal lowlands with high plateaus and mountains. The country is plagued with severe droughts, devastating cyclones, and floods. Mozambique is also recovering from a 16-year civil war that ended in 1992. Its official language is Portuguese, with indigenous dialects.

The combination of political upheaval and natural disaster has made Mozambique among the world's poorest countries and it remains dependent on international financial backing. Its population is suffering from poverty, malnutrition, disease, hunger, and a high illiteracy rate. There is an alarming rise in HIV/AIDS, which has resulted in lower life expectancy. Mozambique's large cities are plagued with violence and crime.

The United Seminary of Ricatla is an ecumenical theological institution in Maputo, Mozambique's capital. It was founded in 1958 by a group of Protestant churches committed to creating a school where ministers can receive cross-denominational training in an ecumenical setting. The United Seminary of Ricatla has since graduated hundreds of ministers, both male and female, who have gone on to work in a variety of churches throughout the country.

The ecumenical mission of The United Seminary of Ricatla is demonstrated in its practice of requiring students to complete their practical training in three denominations besides their own. The Seminary also offers exchange programs and accepts students from outside Mozambique. In addition to being respected for its theological training, the Seminary is well respected for the leadership and spirit of unity and understanding its graduates provide both among churches and in the communities of Mozambique.

Accomplishments:

• Rev. Isaias Titoce, a native of Mozambique, became the first student to be sent by the Seminary to pursue graduate studies at the University of Natal. After receiving his Masters' degree in Biblical studies, he returned to the Seminary in 2003 as a lecturer and librarian. A second student was sent to the University of Natal in 2004.
• The Seminary introduced programs on HIV/AIDS and Mission Studies to its curriculum. The current class is composed of 38 theology students (11 of whom are female) and 8 Christian education and domestic economy studies students.
• The Seminary co-sponsored an urban ministry program with the University of South Africa and Eduardo Mondlane University. Students from the Seminary also visited the Theological School of Cambine on an exchange program.

Projects To Support:

• After successfully changing its electricity supply system from air cable to underground connection in 2002, the Seminary must change the pipe in the water supply system connecting the pumping system to the Seminary's reservoir.
• The Seminary is exploring the feasibility of building residences for lecturers at Ricatla to accommodate its lecturers.
• The Seminary continues to seek needed staff, and hopes to add additional subjects to the academic curriculum, such as Anthropology, Church Administration, African Traditional Religion, African Church History, and Computer Science.
• The Seminary is finishing up a strategic planning process, having created a strategic planning document with the help of a consultant from another seminary. Member churches' representatives have adopted the plan, which Ricatla is presenting to international partners for comment.