Africa-Press – Angola. The president of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST), the Archbishop of Saurimo, D. José Manuel Imbamba, denied, Tuesday (19), in Luanda, information according to which the Catholic Church, in Angola, is with their backs turned to the Government, and appealed to politicians to develop actions that help citizens during electoral periods.
D. José Manuel Imbamba, who was speaking to journalists as he left the audience with the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, at the Government Palace, in Cidade Alta, referring to the speculations made, especially on social media, said “it is just of information fed by people who want to see the two institutions with their backs turned”.
“This derailment never existed, and if that is the case, it only existed in the minds of the promoters of these ideas. We, the Church, never had frictions that reached those levels that generated or fostered in social networks”, clarified the also Archbishop of Saurimo, to that those conclusions are entirely the responsibility of those who fostered them and of those who want to see these two institutions with their backs turned. “But that’s not the case, luckily!”
The president of CEAST made it known, regarding the meeting with the President of the Republic, which lasted about two hours, that he also served to talk about the next general elections, which the country is organizing next August. “It is a meeting that was necessary, given the moment we are living”, stressed the archbishop, having made it known that the “election issue” dominated the entire audience. D. José Manuel Imbamba, who was accompanied at the audience by the Archbishop of Luanda, D. Filomeno Vieira Dias, said he had shared with President João Lourenço ideas for building an inclusive country that serves all, and pointed out ways for a better management of the political moment. “Our advice, as a Church, was shared, thinking about the time we are living, in a way that elevates us to the dignity of citizens,
Politicians’ Attitude Before The Elections
The president of CESAT appealed to party leaders to develop actions that help citizens, at this moment, to have a culture of peace, tolerance, brotherhood and dialogue and invited all Angolans to put their talents at the service of Angola. “There must be a certain creativity in doing politics, an ethics in doing politics, a quality of language in doing politics and a willingness to be really at the service of citizenship and under citizenship”, he underlined.
The prelate said that in his performance, the Church has appealed, several times, not to place the “stress” on party militancy, a task that must be done by the parties. citizenship. It is there, where, all of us, we must converge our intelligences, our abilities, so that Angola, the citizen, wins and, finally, we all leave together smiling for an Angola for all and for all. “, emerged.
D. José Manuel Imbamba stressed that the audience also allowed for the re-launch of cooperation in relation to the resolution of social problems that continue to affect some communities in the country. He said that the ideas shared with the President of the Republic were, in general, the same outputs of the last Plenary Assembly of Bishops, subject to the consideration of Angolan citizens. “These are ways that we consider necessary to consolidate the paths of peace, reconciliation and national unity”, he affirmed.
PR Reaction
The president of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé said that the President of the Republic welcomed the opinions presented, and was, however, available to count on the assistance of all citizens and associations linked to the various social segments. , in the support, with its knowledge and knowledge, to the fringes that need it most, to “walk together in the construction of the country”. “In the guise of Head of State, he assumed his responsibilities without reservation”, acknowledged D. José Manuel Imbamba.
The Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST) is the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, whose headquarters are in Luanda, being the decision-making body of the Catholic Church in both countries.
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