Priests 'give details of massacres'

THE "full story" of the White Fathers' exodus from Mozambique earlier this year was printed last week in the Tanzanian Government's newspaper the Standard. It said reports of massacres in the colony by Portuguese troops which it printed in August were confirmed in every detail by priests who left shortly afterwards.
The paper said the massacres took place early in May, a few days after three Rhodesian soldiers were killed when their vehicle was blown up by a Frelimo (Mozambique Liberation Frortt) mine.
It said the priests' testimony was contained in a document released last week by Frelimo in Dar es Salaam, and gave details of 26 murders.
When the Order announced its decision to leave it cornplained mainly about the regime "using the Church for aims that have nothing to do with the Gospel" and hampering the priests' freedom of action in preaching.
The priests named all the villagers killed in the reprisals. They said some were shot, others beaten to death with sticks.
Bene Merenti medal for sacristan
MR. GEORGE SNEAD, sacristan at St. Stephen's, Manor Park, London, E.12, for 20 years, was presented with the Bene Merenti medal on his retirement. The presentation was made by Bishop Casey of Brentwood during a concelebrated Mass with the parish priest and curate.