Laws Criminalizing Vandalism, Sexual Abuse of Minors “disproportionate”: Catholic Bishop in Angola

The Angolan-born member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (CSSp./Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers) faulted the legislations as “not right”, and added, “Laws must always seek balance and justice.”

“We live in a society in which if you break a possession you don't go to jail; you fix it; and if you die while damaging that possession your family should fix it. There also has to be this pedagogical aspect in the laws to educate the offenders,” he said.

Bishop Camuto continued, “We have to make sure that the laws are also pedagogical so that we have justice; and if we have justice, we will have peace; we will have more social harmony,” he further said. 

The Local Ordinary of Caxito Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in August 2020 went on to condemn the destruction of public property, adding that such acts disrupt the whole country.

“Vandalism is a path to death. You're harming society. Let's avoid these practices; let's also avoid violence,” the Catholic Church leader said.

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He called for the intervention of the competent authorities to identity and bring to book criminals and perpetrators of violence in Angola. 

“Every now and then we hear that someone in the Cawango neighbourhood has been stabbed or shot because there's so much violence in society. The police have to do their job,” the Catholic Church leader said. 

He continued, “We saw young people shooting at each other around the Bishop’s residence. It's not right. Let the weapons be collected; let the parents who know that their children have weapons collect the weapons and hand them over to the police. We all want peace; so we should all collaborate.”

Bishop Camuto challenged the country’s leaders, political, religious, and social, to “take care of civilians.”

“They must lead wisely; they must respect the law and justice, values dear to God,” he said, and added, “We know that without justice, there is no peace. Laws must guide us so that there is justice among men and if there is justice, there will be peace.”

The Spiritan Bishop continued, “In our land, unfortunately, there are still many people who suffer. That is to say that we Christians can cross our arms. We must be vigilant and help our brothers and sisters who suffer.” 

“The Church cannot and must not fold its arms or remain indifferent in the face of injustice and the violation of people's rights,” the Catholic Church leader emphasized.

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