This manifests through many lay-led ministries, he explained. The lack of priests had an influence on this decision, "but the laity are very important in the Church."
He also noted a renewed focus on the consolidation of Christians. After Catholics, Protestants make up about 19% of the population.
"We do need people from outside, we do need missionaries, we do need people coming to help us, coming to witness their faith among us, that's very much important," he said, but added that they themselves recognize their duty "to evangelize others."
Mozambique also places a large focus on proper training at all levels of the Church: priests, laity, religious, and bishops, he said.
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Pope Francis' visit to Maputo, Mozambique, is part of larger trip that includes stops in the capital cities of the island nations of Madagascar and Mauritius. It falls 31 years after the visit of St. John Paul II to Mozambique in 1988.
Suate, who is from the northern diocese of Pemba and has worked for Vatican News in Rome since 2013, said Catholics in Mozambique had hoped the pope would come in 2018 on the 30th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II's visit – which "was a very important one, a very felt one."
"It wasn't possible last year; it will be this year. I tell you; people are very much, very much looking forward to this visit." He said the motto of the trip is something which speaks on its own: "Hope, Peace, and Reconciliation."
Suate said he thinks "there are many good things that the Church in Mozambique does, and does well, and can share with others."
"I can mention, for example… the way we celebrate," he said. "You need to show that you have faith, that you are not there just because you have to, but you are happy to be there. Sometimes, in some areas [of the world], you don't see that spirit."
The second quality others can learn from is "the sense of family," he continued. "The Church in Africa is the family of God."
"In a family you do not say, 'oh, you are not important,' 'oh no, you be quiet,' No, in the family, everyone [works] according to their responsibilities, they have a lot to do..."
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Hannah Brockhaus is Catholic News Agency's senior Rome correspondent. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and has a degree in English from Truman State University in Missouri.