Angola’s Catholic Bishops Deny Involvement in Civil Society’s Call to Cancel Angola–Argentina Friendly Match

Luanda, 25 August, 2025 / 4:34 PM

Members of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) have distanced themselves from a civil society appeal to cancel the planned Angola–Argentina friendly football match, scheduled for November.

In an August 22 statement, CEAST members deny being part of the civil society organizations that drafted the open letter that cited the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP).

“CEAST received with concern (on social media and in some media outlets) the Joint Open Letter of Angolan Civil Society Organizations — namely the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of CEAST, Pro Bono Angola, the Association for Justice, Peace and Democracy (AJPD), and Friends of Angola (FOA) — dated August 19, 2025, against the visit of the Argentine National Team to Angola,” the Catholic Church leaders say in the message shared with ACI Africa.

They add, “This matter has never been a topic of discussion in any of its meetings.”

In the August 19 open letter addressed to four sets of recipients (Lionel Messi Foundation, the Argentine national football team players, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and the technical committee Argentine national team), civil society groups in Angola accused Angolan authorities of misplaced priorities and “systematic repression”.

“This appeal does not oppose sport or the bonds of friendship between peoples. On the contrary, it is a cry for conscience in the face of the painful reality experienced by millions of Angolans. This reality contrasts shockingly with the ostentation and millions of dollars spent on organizing this event,” the letter reads in part.

The civil society organizations add, “While public resources are channelled into large-scale sporting events, thousands of children and adults face chronic hunger, severe anaemia and widespread food insecurity.”

On repression, the civil society organizations lament that the Angola’s “political environment (is) ... against citizens who express critical thinking. Although Angola presents itself as a free economy democracy, only a select group of citizens, mostly linked to the MPLA — the government-sustaining party — benefit from business and have access to lines of credit.”

According to the organizations, cancelling the planned sports event “would be a noble gesture of international solidarity and respect for human rights.”

In their August 22 statement, CEAST members inform “all public and private media, both national and international, that the documents binding CEAST are signed and sealed by the Bishops or by one of the Bishops.”

“Together, under the mantle of the Virgin Mary, Queen, let us continue to live the Jubilee of Hope for a better World and a better Angola,” the Catholic Church leaders say referring to the ongoing Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year.