On National Peace, Reconciliation Day in Angola, Catholic Archbishop Calls for Collaboration in Building Peace

For him, “Peace involves an ongoing commitment to social justice and equal rights for all Angolans. It needs to be nurtured and built every day. It is deeply linked to justice and respect for human rights.”

The Local Ordinary of Malanje, who also serves as Chair of the National Commission for the Liturgy of CEAST went on to lament that despite the end of the civil war, Angola still faces a number of structural challenges that make it difficult to consolidate lasting peace. 

He said, “Problems such as unemployment, the lack of decent housing, food insecurity, illiteracy, and the unequal distribution of wealth remain major obstacles to real peace.”

“For peace to be established permanently, all these problems need to be urgently addressed. True peace cannot be achieved as long as there are profound social and economic inequalities,” Archbishop Kiala said.

He continued, “The lack of understanding and the persistence of social and political divisions can weaken the peace process. Reconciliation is not just a political issue, but a social and human necessity.”

“Peace will not be possible without true reconciliation between all Angolans. We have to overcome the wounds of the past, the hurts and rivalries that still exist between citizens, be they political, family, or social,” the Catholic Church leader said.

He emphasized that “building a fairer and more united Angola does not only depend on institutional or governmental efforts, but also on the daily commitment of each citizen in their personal lives, in their communities and in dealing with others.”

“Everyone must take responsibility for working towards a more inclusive Angola, where everyone can enjoy equal opportunities and dignity,” Archbishop Kiala said, adding, “We need an Angola where all citizens, regardless of their origin or social status, can live together in harmony, with mutual respect and with the guarantee that their rights are respected.”

“We need an Angola where everyone can have access to what is essential for a dignified life. It is important to create conditions that allow young people, women, and vulnerable groups to play an active role in the country's development,” Archbishop Kiala said.

The Catholic Church leader, who started his Episcopal Ministry in August 2013 as Bishop of Angola’s Sumbe Diocese said, “April 4 serves not only to recall the progress made since the signing of the memorandum of understanding, but also to renew everyone's commitment to building a better future for Angola, a future of peace, justice, and prosperity for all its citizens.”

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference to launch the 50th anniversary of Angola’s Independence and the National Congress for Reconciliation, the Executive Secretary of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of CEAST urged Angolans to build an inclusive country, stating that those who fought for Angola’s independence did so for the freedom of all.

“The heroes of our independence fought for the freedom of all Angolans. Yet, as we mark this historic milestone, it feels like we are celebrating just a few. There is a prevailing culture of exclusion,” Fr. Celestino Epalanga told journalists on April 4.

Fr. Epalanga linked this mindset to the root causes of Angola’s 27-year civil war, warning that failure to promote inclusivity risks repeating the mistakes of the past.

Reflecting on the importance of the National Congress for Reconciliation scheduled for October, the Angolan member of the Society of Jesus (SJ/Jesuits) said, “This congress is a call to build an inclusive country. Exclusion led us into war, and we know war is always a defeat. For 23 years, peace has shown us that a prosperous nation is possible.”

For him, “The goals of this National Congress for Reconciliation are to foster a national meeting for self-evaluation and to search for new directions for our future.”

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“As part of the Jubilee celebrations of the 50th anniversary of national independence, the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace proposes that this moment of celebration be an occasion for collective introspection that brings about a restorative moment for the entire Angolan nation,” he said.

Fr. Epalanga added, “Such a moment of deep reflection on our historical journey, our joys and our weaknesses, should be brought to the national table through a Congress for Reconciliation that aims to establish a new national commitment for our future.”

He said the Congress is “a privileged moment to confront our mistakes, recognize our weaknesses, and recommit to peace and unity – socially, culturally, and spiritually.”

“It is a privileged opportunity to confront our wrongdoings by acknowledging our frailties over this half-century of freedom and 23 years of the challenging journey toward peace and reconciliation – socially, religiously, and culturally,” the Executive Secretary of CCJP of CEAST said.