“Participate fully in this exercise”: Archbishop to Catholics in Angola on Planned Population Census

“I call on Angolans, especially Catholics to participate fully in this exercise so as to contribute to the State's clearer and more accurate understanding of the population to serve it better,” Archbishop Zeca said.

He added, “This census will be an opportunity for both the State and the Church to improve their work on behalf of the Angolan people, through a deeper understanding of the demographic composition and the real needs of the population.”

The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) said that the census also provides vital information about living conditions, employment, unemployment, and income levels. 

“This knowledge is crucial for the fair allocation of resources, such as distributing goods and constructing adequate housing,” he said.

In the September 12 interview, Archbishop Zeca cautioned against the politicization of the census exercise, saying this can distort the results.

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“Unfortunately, the census is often politicized and does not reflect reality, which distorts the very sense of justice,” the Local Ordinary of Huambo said.

He implored, “May God bless us, and may the results of the census be true, authentic, and organized for the good of our nation.”

Angola conducted its first census as an independent nation in May 2014, revealing a population of over 25 million. 

A 2019 update revised the number to more that 32 million people, with 95% of the population being of Bantu origin.

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