At Diocesan Pilgrimage in Angola, Catholic Bishop Says “families must be the first place of faith education”

He went on to challenge those at the helm of families to live true to their duty as first teachers of faith. “You, parents, play a fundamental role in the spiritual education of your children. If we do not teach our children to pray, to love God, and to live the commandments, the Church and society risk losing an entire generation of believers,” he said.

Bishop Camuto told parents and guardians, “You are the first educators in faith of your children. If parents pray, they teach their children to pray. If parents love, they teach their children to love. The home must be the first place of encounter with God.”

The Catholic Church leader, who has been at the helm of Caxito Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in August 2020 described the family as “the domestic Church … where everyone should be an example of love and charity.”

He went on to urge family members to make prayer a daily practice, everyone gathering to thank God and strengthen family and spiritual bonds.

The 61-year-old Angolan Catholic Bishop also cautioned against superficiality in Christian faith, one that he said is confined to words and rituals without inner transformation. 

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“A Christian is one who brings God’s word to others, who helps the needy, who lives in charity and not selfishness,” he said during the June 13 celebration.

Addressing himself to youths, Bishop Camuto encouraged them to be leaders in transforming their communities, bringing the Gospel to their schools and neighborhoods by the example of their lives.

“Youths are the key to the future of the Church. Do not be afraid to be light in the midst of darkness. Be examples of love, faith, and compassion,” he said, adding, “Faith is something we carry everywhere—it must be lived in our work, in the streets, in our relationships, and in society.”

For Bishop Camuto, “We cannot be Christians only in words and empty promises. Christ has called us to transform the world through concrete acts of love.”

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