Catholic Bishop in Angola Cautions against “calculated charity”, Calls for True Charity, “genuine compassion”

The Catholic Church leader, who is in Luanda to prepare for the September 24-28 CEAST Second Plenary Assembly, cautioned against the paternalism of many actions that, rather than helping, humiliate the needy in society. 

“Paternalism, whether from the State, associations, or movements, does not educate; it humiliates. True charity does not humiliate. Charity is not about begging from others,” the Local Ordinary of Namibe said.

He went on to underscore the need for charity to be based on “genuine love and compassion without expecting recognition or reward.”

Bishop Hisilenapo also reflected on the responsibility of protecting children, saying that “true charity goes beyond merely giving sweets or notebooks.”

Giving goodies, he said, “is not charity; it is an obligation. Associations, States, and governments have obligations, but that is still not charity. We should never humiliate others with false charity.”

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Bishop Hisilenapo explained that true charity involves altruism founded on love, even towards enemies.

“If we only do good to those who do good to us, how are we different? Even those who lend to friends do the same,” he said referring to Luke 6, and added, “We must break away from ordinary actions and interrupt the cycle of selfishness by acting in extraordinary ways.”

The 57-year-old Catholic Bishop continued, “True charity involves looking into the eyes of our brother and asking, 'How can I be helpful?' We must always be ready to do good.”

He reiterated the need for genuine love among Christians, saying, “In a world where hatred, revenge, and resentment have taken root, Christians are called to love even those who harm us and to forgive.”

“Even though it is difficult, we must strip ourselves of hatred to love as Christ taught us,” Bishop Hisilenapo said.

For him, “Loving your enemies, showing mercy, and practicing charity – are essential. We often say I can't love those who hurt or wrong me. Yet Jesus, our Lord, who died and rose for us, said: I have not come to abolish the Mosaic Law, but to fulfill it. Jesus summed up the new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you, including loving your enemies.”

“It requires a large heart, and few can achieve it in two acts: exhortative and imperative. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you,” he said during Holy Mass on September 12.

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