“We hear cry of our people”: Catholic Justice, Peace Commission in Angola Urge National Unity amid Economic Hardships

Luanda, 21 July, 2025 / 8:54 PM

Members of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) have called for national unity, dialogue, and ethical leadership as a path toward overcoming Angola’s worsening economic challenges.

In a statement issued Wednesday, July 16, CCJP members want the hardships affecting a significant portion of the Angolan population addressed.

“We hear the cry of our people. The impact of the recent economic measures, particularly the increase in fuel prices, has triggered a general rise in the cost of goods and services,” they say.

These changes, CCJP members say, have “worsened food insecurity and jeopardized the means of survival for the majority of people across the country.”

Noting that these economic adjustments are partly driven by global and domestic financial pressures, CCJP members underscore the need for “more inclusive and balanced social consultations before implementation.”

They also decry Angola’s “overwhelming tax burden” that they say deprives citizens of dignified living conditions.

CCJP members invite Angolans to reflect on the country's path, saying, “We urge men and women of goodwill to question the direction our society is taking.”

Addressing government authorities, they call for a reassessment of recent policies and urge a less punitive approach.

CCJP members further advocate for “intersocial dialogue with all sectors, especially those representing the disadvantaged, such as trade unions and civil society organizations.”

“Syndicates and other pressure groups should not be treated as adversaries. They represent underprivileged sectors and can play a vital role in shaping social agreements,” they say.

CCJP members also call for ethical responsibility in managing national resources. Public funds, they say, should be invested in “durable goods” that create value and benefit citizens, such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, food security, and job creation.

Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence to be marked in November, CCJP members encourage Angolans to view the occasion as a time to renew their commitment to democratic ideals.

“We recognize important democratic achievements, but we remain deeply concerned about the suppression of rights under the pretense of protecting freedoms,” they say.

CCJP members say, “The Church is not partisan. It is prophetic and committed to justice and peace. We stand with those who suffer most under the high cost of living and call on all people of goodwill to unite in prayer, listening, and solidarity for the common good.”

“Social peace will only be possible if it is built on the foundations of human dignity, equity, and truth,” they say in their July 16 statement.