Angola Petrol Protest: Justice and Peace Commission Appeals for Prayer amid Deadly Unrest

Regarding social media, they encourage restraint, saying, “Avoid inflammatory messages that incite anger and revenge,” and instead, “spread messages of tolerance, harmony, and nonviolence.”

“Strikes and the right to peaceful protest—yes. But violence—no,”  CCJP members add.

While affirming the legitimacy of peaceful protest, they caution that “the escalation of violence undermines the social fabric and worsens collective suffering.”

CCJP members further invite all faith communities in the country to unite in prayer, and for Catholics in particular, to pray “wherever possible, before the Blessed Sacrament, pleading for the gift of peace during this time of deep collective anguish and distress.”

“Let us implore the gift of peace in our communities and cities through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Patroness of Angola and Queen of Peace,” they add.

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The unrest, which began in Luanda spread by Tuesday to the provinces of Huambo, Benguela, Malanje, and Huíla. 

On July 31, Isailda Sambalanda, President of the Association for the Promotion of Women in the Angolan Catholic Church (PROMAICA) in the Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda, offered words of faith and hope amid the crisis.

Mourning the death of a mother during the violence, she urged Angolan families to remain calm and trust in God.

“We want to stand in solidarity with the family in this tragedy,” Mrs. Sambalanda said in her message on the International Day of the African Woman, and added, “Let us ask God, who is the Lord of life, to lead us, transform us, and help us love one another despite our pain.”

She continued, in her interview with Rádio Ecclesia, “To all Promaica mothers, I say: remain calm, stay peaceful. Everything passes, especially when we trust in our good God.”