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Archbishop Lauds Angolan President’s Visit to Cardinal-named School as “appreciation” of Church Role in Education

The President of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) has lauded the country’s government for its growing interest in Catholic institutions, following President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço’s visit to the construction site of the Alexandre Cardinal do Nascimento School Complex in Luanda.

Speaking to the press after the April 12 presidential tour of the school named after Angola’s first Cardinal who passed on in September 2024, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba said the visit is an indication of the government’s recognition of the Catholic Church’s important role in national development through the sector of education.

“This visit by the President fits within the context of support and appreciation, helping us see the interest the Government of Angola places in the educational mission we, as the Catholic Church, have taken on,” he said. 

The Angolan Catholic Archbishop said that Catholic institutions of learning are open to all citizens and are part of the Church's commitment to shape a morally grounded and inclusive society.

“We are here to serve the nation, to serve the citizen, and to promote patriotism and values essential for building a wiser, more coherent, tolerant, and God-fearing country—one in which all feel included,” the Local Ordinary of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Saurimo said.

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The Alexandre Cardinal do Nascimento School Complex is a nonprofit educational project born from a collaboration between lay Christians and CEAST. 

It is dedicated to honoring Angola’s only Cardinal and aims to provide quality education from preschool through to the 12th grade for approximately 1,800 students across 77 classrooms.

Calling it a project “embraced 100% by CEAST,” Archbishop Imbamba eulogized Cardinal do Nascimento as a “man of culture and a champion of education”, noting that the institution carries forward the Cardinal’s legacy.

“He was a man of letters who believed in the power of education for national service. Through this project, we want to form future leaders equipped with moral, ethical, and patriotic values to meet the country's challenges,” the Catholic Church leader said.

Archbishop Imbamba also lauded the Church's long-term strategy in expanding its educational mission to higher education.

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He said, “We aim to start with the little ones and guide them through to universities, shaping upright citizens who will help Angola prosper in goodness, virtue, and civic responsibility.”

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