Luanda City at 450: Catholic Archbishop in Angola Challenges Authorities to Lead with Justice

According to the Catholic Church leader, a city that tolerates disorder, exclusion, and inequality ultimately weakens its own future.

Archbishop Dias emphasized that urban development should be measured by its capacity to guarantee dignified living conditions. 

“Urban development must be measured by the ability to guarantee ever better conditions of work, access to healthcare, quality education, functional transport, public security, and leisure spaces,” he said.

Recalling the historical roots of urban life, the Catholic Archbishop observed that human beings formed cities precisely to improve their living conditions. 

“This collective effort cannot be interrupted by poor governance or a lack of public responsibility,” he warned.

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Luanda was founded on 25 January 1576 by Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais under the name São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda. 

According to Archbishop Dias, the city “is the fruit of the effort of generations and must continue to be a construction of all, of interest to all, and destined for all, without unjustified exclusions or privileges.”

He noted that public administration becomes fragile when particular interests prevail and when decisions are taken without listening to society. 

Such practices, he said, “end up generating frustration, instability, and loss of trust in institutions.”

Archbishop Dias called for governance marked by wisdom and justice, saying, “Exercising authority implies increased responsibility, especially in a city with complex challenges such as rapid population growth, social inequality, and insecurity.”

The Catholic Archbishop also underscored the importance of civic participation, reminding citizens that the city belongs not only to those who govern but also to those who build it daily through work, respect for laws, and care for public spaces.

Tracing Luanda’s history, he recalled its origins as a Portuguese colonial post and its role as a major center of the transatlantic slave trade until the 19th century. 

After Angola’s independence in 1975, Luanda remained the capital and experienced rapid population growth, particularly during the civil war, when many sought refuge in the city.

“Luanda was born from the encounter of people of different origins, social conditions, and life stories,” Archbishop Dias said, adding that its plural identity must be preserved and respected. 

He noted that belonging to Luanda “does not depend on one’s place of birth, but on commitment to the city, the love shown for it, and the desire to make it increasingly beautiful, organized, and livable.”

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The Catholic Archbishop also evoked traditional Angolan values of community care, suggesting that past models of shared responsibility can inspire contemporary governance. 

He warned against the climate of stress, confusion, and insecurity typical of large cities, observing that the absence of solid reference points and social consensus undermines social cohesion.

“When everything becomes relative and subordinated to immediate interests,” he cautioned, adding, “There is a risk of transforming society into a weak, fragmented, and shapeless coexistence.”

Archbishop Dias urged both leaders and citizens to resist short-term solutions and to renew their commitment to building a more humane, inclusive, and organized Luanda, capable of offering a life of dignity and quality to all who call the city home.

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