Eduardo Duarte Vieira
Eduardo Duarte Vieira | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1921 |
| Died | March 31, 1966 |
Eduardo Duarte Vieira was the first Bahá’í martyr on the continent of Africa. He was born in Portuguese Guinea (present-day Guinea-Bissau) in 1921, and died in 1966, while in the custody of the Portuguese authorities for teaching the Bahá’í Faith.[1]
Vieira held a government position and prior to becoming a Bahá’í was a member of the church council in Bissau. He learned of the Faith while in Lisbon, Portugal and began actively teaching the Faith after his return to Bissau. Eventually a community of 15 Bahá’ís was established, along with a Bahá’í center. His teaching activity aroused the hostility of the local clergy who first encouraged him to apostatize his Faith, but later would prompt the authorities to raid his home, confiscate his books and forbid him from holding meetings in his home.[1]
Vieira was arrested and beaten several times. His final arrest took place 11 March 1966 on the charge of subversive political activity. Vieira's wife was denied access to him while he was in custody, and she last saw him alive when police brought him home one night to obtain keys to his office. Vieira died while in custody on 31 March. His wife while preparing his body found signs of torture.[2]
Vieira was able to scratch messages to his wife and children into a metal box used to transport food. To his wife he wrote:
“Tonia: This was the way of destiny. All is terminated. Love your fellowman and raise your children with love. Love everybody. Forgive all the wrongs I have done. Be able to face life with naturalness. Goodbye, and I wish you a long life, Durante 29-3-1966
He addressed his children:
Dear children: Always be friendly towards all people. Do not have hate towards anyone. Life is eternal and it never ends; it finishes one cycle and begins another. Forgive all the wrongs of your father. May God protect you, Durante 29-3-1966[2]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1974). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 14 (1963-1968), Pg(s) 389. View as PDF.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Bahá’í World, An International Record. (1974). Bahá’í World Centre. Haifa. Volume 14 (1963-1968), Pg(s) 390. View as PDF.
