Advertisement

Annual Pilgrimage to St. Anna’s Shrine in Angola Ends with Call on Parents to Care for, Ensure “right path” for Children

João Vissesse

By João Vissesse

Caxito, 29 July, 2024 / 8:53 pm (ACI Africa).

The 17th annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Anna in Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Caxito has concluded with a call on parents and guardians to ensure the welfare of their respective children is a top priority.

In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration to mark the conclusion of the July 26-28 pilgrimage, Bishop Vicente Carlos Kiaziku of the Catholic Diocese of Mbanza Congo highlighted the challenges children can be exposed to without the care of parents and guardians.

“Today, children are associated with many negative factors, such as the street, abandonment by parents and family,” Bishop Kiaziku said during the Sunday, July 28 Holy Mass that brought together some 20,000 pilgrims.

He emphasized the need for responsible parenthood, and attributed drug abuse among children in Angola to irresponsible parents.

“Many of you present in this pilgrimage are parents. You must care for your children and ensure they follow the right path,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop said during the conclusion of the pilgrimage held under the theme that was inspired by the Synod on Synodality theme, “Protection of children in participation, communion and mission.”

Advertisement

Taking care of your children “must never be seen as a burden,” the Angolan member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) further said, and urged parents to understand that children are “intended to be a source of blessing to you, not a source of sorrow.”

Bishop Kiaziku reiterated the need for parents to “take good care of their children, so that they don't go down the wrong path”, and added, “Choosing a good education leads anyone to overcome certain taboos, beliefs and superstitions.”

 “We have to put an end to children living on the streets, which is not just the responsibility of the government, but of society as a whole,” the Local Ordinary of Mbanza Congo Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in March 2009 said.

For him, it is the government's mission, in partnership with the churches and other social groups, to “work on raising awareness among young people, so that they don't go down a bad path but help the country's development.”

The Catholic Bishop went on to caution against the practice of abortion among young people, saying, “Life is a divine good and consecrated by God. That's why we must condemn anyone who terminates a pregnancy.”

More in Africa

Kenya

“We are all equal”: Congolese Cardinal Calls for Reforms for “disadvantaged” Women in Church, Society

Read the article

Bishop Kiaziku encouraged devotion to St. Anna, saying that it is linked in “a very particular way to the gift of life.”

“She is a Saint who intercedes with God on behalf of couples who have difficulties in procreating and many who ask for her help with faith obtain this grace,” Bishop Kiaziku said.

He added, “Today we can say because of the Shrine of St. Anna, Caxito is the Christian capital of Angola. After the Shrine of Our Lady of Muxima, the pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Anna also gathers many pilgrims from all over the world.”

Referring to the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Bishop Kiaziku urged care and respect for senior citizens in society.

João Vissesse

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

Trending