Angolan Catholic Priest Decries Major City’s “unpleasant odor”, Challenges Faithful to Lead in Proper Sanitation

Luanda, 23 January, 2025 / 4:02 PM

The Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Care in Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda has called on the faithful to take an active role in addressing the public challenges facing Angola’s capital city, Luanda, especially on waste management.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday, January 22, during celebrations that marked 449 years since the founding of Luanda, Fr. Adelino Calonda underscored the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining the city’s cleanliness. 

Fr. Calonda urged residents of Luanda, in particular, to reflect on their role in fostering a livable environment. 

“The city is gradually developing an unpleasant odor that is harmful to our health. This is not just the government’s fault but the result of citizens failing to recognize that living in a city requires us to respect its rules and ethics. Sharing a space with others demands behavior that aligns with the standards of urban life,” Fr. Colonda said.

 “Luanda belongs to all of us. The collaboration of the faithful is needed in various sectors of public life in the city—keeping it clean, refraining from littering randomly, and disposing of waste responsibly,” Fr. Calonda said.

He underlined that sanitation and hygiene must be priorities for all residents if the city is to thrive. 

“One major issue the government continues to face is waste collection schedules. Many times, we see overflowing bins and still throw garbage on the ground. Another pressing issue is the use of random corners of the city as places to relieve ourselves,” the Angolan Catholic Priest lamented.

As part of the Foundation Day celebrations on Saturday, January 25, a Thanksgiving Mass is to hold at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Fatima Parish of Luanda Archdiocese. 

Founded on 25 January 1576, by Portuguese nobleman and explorer Paulo Dias de Novais, Luanda was initially named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda. The city, now Angola’s capital and largest urban center, sits along the Atlantic Ocean and serves as the nation’s primary port and economic hub.

Reflecting on the significance of the city’s anniversary, Fr. Calonda emphasized the need for prayer and unity. 

“This celebration should not leave any negative marks on us. It is a day to pray for our city. It would be ungrateful not to seek God’s guidance for the leaders managing this city. Including Luanda in our prayers is not only about asking but also about living as responsible citizens, placing the city in our hearts, and acknowledging our shared responsibility for its well-being,” he said.

Fr. Calonda called for solidarity among Catholics and neighboring communities. 

“We ask all Catholics from our archdiocese and neighboring dioceses—Luanda, Viana, and Caxito—to gather around the altar of the Lord as we celebrate St. Paul, the patron saint of our city,” he said.