His unique ministry is recognised internationally for helping to bring peace to Mozambique in 1992 after 16 years of civil war. Consecrated as bishop in 1976, Bishop Dinis became one of Africa’s greatest peacemakers with a mediation role between the rebel group Renamo, and the Frelimo government.
His ‘Preparing the People for Peace’ programme and the ‘Swords into Ploughshares Project’, where weapons were exchanged for agricultural and domestic equipment, cemented peace. Since 1997 over 800,000 weapons have been taken out of commission and turned into notable sculptures like the ‘Throne of Weapons’ in the British Museum.