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“Learning is a process of liberation”: Catholic Official at Launch of New Academic Year in Angolan Archdiocese

By João Vissesse

Luanda, 15 September, 2024 / 8:44 pm (ACI Africa).

The Vicar General of the Catholic Archdiocese of Malanje in Angola has underscored the importance of education in transforming and liberating people.

In his homily during the opening Mass of the 2024/2025 academic year in Catholic schools in the country, Fr. António Adão called on educators and administrators to fully commit to the success of the Church-run institutions.

“Learning is a process of liberation for man throughout life. This process must be lived daily, not just while we are in school,” Fr. Adão said during the Monday, September 9 Eucharistic celebration that was held at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral of Malanje Archdiocese.

He said learning “is a process that involves all educators, teachers, and students so that we can accomplish our goals. In the end, we should be able to say that we managed to overcome the challenges and succeed in fulfilling our projects.”

“Opening the school year is nothing more than looking to God first because God is the supreme wisdom, and what we do is nothing more than helping all these students in this teaching and learning process,” he said.

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The Angolan Catholic Priest warned that if educational gaps are not addressed promptly, they could deepen the already concerning levels of illiteracy in Angola.

“The more people remain outside the education system, the more illiteracy will take root in our country, and it will become a chronic disease,” Fr. Adão said.

He called for action to address the large number of children and adults still excluded from the education system, saying, “We must work together to overcome this disease that is becoming chronic because sometimes, by delaying solutions year after year, we are postponing the future of many families, teenagers, children, young people, and even adults.”

Fr. Adão called for a concerted effort to eradicate illiteracy, stressing that education is the “key to a brighter future for Angola.”

“There is a need to liberate man, to remove him from illiteracy, and to place him in a process where he can guide himself, guide others, and also allow himself to be guided,” he said. 

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He added, “Education is not just a tool for personal development but a collective responsibility that involves families, communities, and the Church.”

The Vicar General of Malanje said, “The Church must continue to commit itself to the educational process, ensuring that Catholic schools remain beacons of hope for Angola’s children.”

On his part, Gelson Manjour, the Archdiocesan Coordinator of Catholic Schools, said that more than 25,000 students are enrolled in the 34 Catholic schools managed by the Archdiocese of Malanje this year.

“We are aware of the task ahead and the effort required to fulfill this goal. Our teachers are dedicated to maintaining the educational excellence of our schools, transforming classrooms into stages for the parade of knowledge and the construction of a new generation,” Manjour stated.

João Vissesse

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate. 

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