Acrimonious Political Discourse in Angola Cause for Concern, Bishops Urge Restraint

During the Plenary Assembly, the members of CEAST also approved proposals for the creation of three more Dioceses in Angola, the creation of the Mamã Muxima Missionary Institute, and the holding of the second International Symposium on Biblical Pastoral Care in September this year.

They also studied the Rules of Procedure of the Catholic Scouts of Angola ad experimentum for three years.

In their statement, CEAST members lament the “harsh social and economic situation that many Angolan families go through.”

“The social situation of our country continues to worsen, with high levels of poverty, hunger, unemployment, a sharp loss of purchasing power and the closure of businesses,” the Bishops bemoan.

“The lack of rain in the Centre and South of the country once again raises the spectre of hunger,” they further say and call on relevant “authorities to create a contingency plan to help the population in these areas.”

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The Church leaders also express “grave concern” about a seeming scramble for hydrocarbon exploration.

“With great and serious concern, we are witnessing an unbridled race for hydrocarbon exploration in sensitive areas such as parks and natural reserves putting biodiversity and the survival of populations at risk,” the members of CEAST say in their March 1 statement.

They go on to express their support and solidarity with the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Saurimo, condemning acts of violence that resulted in loss of human lives and other human rights violations in the town of Cafunfo.

On January 30, a security crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in Cafunfo in Lunda Norte province resulted in the deaths of dozens of citizens with several others injured, Amnesty International reported.

In their March 1 collective statement, CEAST members say they want “the truth to be ascertained and for those who acted against the law to be held responsible.”

The Church leaders further express the need to resume “catechesis for children in all Dioceses, but with preventive measures put in place to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.