Italian Catholic Priest Injured in Attempted Robbery in Angola Appeals for Security at Churches

Benguela, 13 January, 2026 / 2:18 AM

An Italian member of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) has called for improved security at churches and Parish residences after he was seriously injured during an attempted robbery at a Salesian community in Angola’s Benguela Diocese.

Fr. Luigi de Liberale was assaulted on the night of January 7 as an assailant attempted to break into the Salesians of Don Bosco residence. 

In an interview with ACI Africa on Monday, January 12, the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Navigators Parish of Benguela Diocese said the attack nearly claimed his life and underscored the urgent need for preventive security measures.

Recounting the incident, the 73-year-old Catholic Priest said, “I left the religious house after dinner, about 200 meters from the office, and found a masked man waiting for me. He came straight at me and struck me on the head with a metal rod. I thought I was going to die right there,” Fr. Luigi recounted.

The assailant used a crowbar and a metal pipe, inflicting a deep head wound that required six stitches, as well as bruises and abrasions on various parts of Fr. Luigi’s body. 

“The attack lasted only five minutes, but it was enough to leave me seriously injured. I shouted for the guards, but they were far away. He fled by jumping over the wall, leaving behind the tools he had intended to use to break into my office,” the Salesian Priest recounted.

Now recovering, Fr. Luigi who has spent 17 years on mission in Angola admitted he lives in fear, particularly at night.

“The environment is somewhat dark. The walls are not very high, and there is no barbed wire in every corner. Now I am afraid to go to my office at night because some youths are already accustomed to jumping over the walls,” he said.

He also noted a worrying pattern of attacks against the Catholic community he serves, saying, “Just this month, we have recorded three incidents—one at the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, another against the Daughters of Africa Sisters in Calombo, and now this attack on me. Unfortunately, this violence is spreading across Angola.”

According to Fr. Luigi, some young people view churches as easy targets because of offerings, mobile phones, and other valuables kept by religious communities, creating a climate of insecurity for both Clergy and the wider community.

“There must be enforcement of the law and respect for institutions. Only then can Angola be a safe country, where citizens, schools, and churches do not live under constant threat,” he said. 

Fr. Luigi added, “We need greater security in churches and parish residences. Society must help educate young people and provide opportunities so they do not resort to violence.”

Meanwhile, in the Catholic Archdiocese of Malanje, the Parish Priest of St. Michael the Archangel Parish denounced the release of 20-year-old Paulino João Kuenda, suspected of desecrating the mission on January 1.

“I cannot understand how someone who vandalized and desecrated the church can walk free. This young man is a repeat offender; he has been arrested multiple times for the same crimes, yet he was released,” Fr. João Paulo Machado Freitas said.

Fr. Freitas noted that the family and community are aware of the suspect’s history.

“Everyone knows who he is. His mother and neighbors know he is a thief. He has been detained for stealing from various institutions, yet he is set free. This is a disrespect to justice and the police,” he said.

Fr. Freitas emphasized that the young suspect had prior offenses, including having previously stolen from the mission. 

“Unfortunately, this young man had already robbed us before. Last November, he entered the mission, was caught in the act, the police were called, but two days later he was released. Now he has stolen again. It is always the same individuals, and this undermines trust in justice,” said the 37-year-old Portuguese-born member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers).

He added, “When criminals see that they are not punished, people lose trust in institutions and may take justice into their own hands. This is dangerous and puts lives at risk.”

“The Public Prosecutor does not value the work of the police. They spend days chasing the perpetrators, and then these individuals are released without explanation. It is a disrespect to the efforts of those who defend the security of the people,” Fr. Freitas said.

He lamented the spiritual impact of the desecration, saying, “It was not just a robbery. It was a profanation of the Blessed Sacrament. This deeply wounds the faith of the community. We need justice to be done, so that the Church and the people feel protected.”

The Catholic Priest called for firm action by authorities to stop violence against religious institutions, reminding that insecurity threatens not only the Church but society as a whole.

 “We must unite as Church and society to demand that justice is upheld. Impunity encourages crime and destroys everyone’s trust in the authorities,” he said.