Angolan Catholic Archbishop Urges Christians to Make Solidarity Way of Life

Luanda, 07 January, 2026 / 6:28 PM

Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda has called on Catholics to make solidarity and sharing a way of life, describing them as concrete expressions of Christian fraternity in both the Church and society.

In his homily during Mass at the Chapel of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) in Luanda, Archbishop Dias emphasized that “authentic faith goes beyond words or emotions and must be expressed through daily actions that reveal God’s love.”

He noted that Christian solidarity flows from “a personal encounter with Christ and from a willingness to take responsibility for others.”

The Angolan Church leader explained that sharing is not limited to occasional acts of generosity, but is a lasting commitment to brothers and sisters in need. 

He encouraged Christians to become “signs of hope by drawing close to those who suffer and offering what they have, however little, as a tangible sign of God’s love.”

According to Archbishop Dias, true fraternity requires “closeness, mutual responsibility, and sensitivity to the pain of others.”

He warned against indifference and selfishness, stressing that “no one is saved alone” and that Christian communities are called to “foster charity that is concrete and transformative.”

The Angolan Catholic Archbishop further noted that solidarity is rooted in the Gospel and reflects a mature faith lived through humility, service, and openness of heart.

Recognizing others as brothers and sisters, he said, demands “inner conversion and leads believers to serve, especially in situations marked by inequality and social vulnerability.”

The Archbishop of Luanda reaffirmed that solidarity and sharing strengthen “communion within the Church and serve as a clear sign of Christian commitment to the common good.”

He added that Christ’s presence transforms daily life quietly but permanently, reminding the faithful that Christmas should not be reduced to a “passing celebration but lived as an ongoing call to conversion and renewed commitment to faith and life.”

Linking solidarity with reconciliation, Archbishop Dias underscored the need to “heal social wounds and overcome divisions.”

He observed that Christian charity seeks “dialogue, justice, and closeness, helping to build a culture of peace and shared responsibility.”

The Local ordinary of Luanda also called for renewed dedication to justice and human dignity, insisting that solidarity cannot be separated from respect for life, truth, and healthy social relationships. 

Christians, he said, should “actively promote initiatives that strengthen community bonds and encourage unity, especially amid social and economic challenges.”

Archbishop Dias urged the people of God to allow solidarity to become a “permanent lifestyle rather than a response limited to emergencies.”

He emphasized that charity, inspired by faith, has the power to “transform individuals and communities, opening lasting paths of hope, fraternity, and communion.”