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Catholic Bishop in Angola Decries “numerous cases of infidelity among spouses”, Wants Christian Values Fostered

Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of Caxito Diocese in Angola. Credit: Radio Ecclesia
João Vissesse

By João Vissesse

Caxito, 17 September, 2024 / 10:54 pm (ACI Africa).

The rise in cases of infidelity in marriage in the Southern African nation of Angola is a cause for concern, Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of the country’s Catholic Diocese of Caxito has said. 

Bishop Camuto, who was presiding over Holy Mass at Holy Family Desvio da Barra do Dande Parish of his Episcopal See on September 15 called for the fostering of Christian values in families.

He said that Angola is “unfortunately ... witnessing numerous cases of infidelity among spouses, and even between boyfriends and girlfriends, as displayed on social media.”

“Marriage, which should be a bastion of love and trust, is being undermined by infidelity. This is a direct attack on its stability,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop lamented, adding that one of the effects of the phenomenon is “visible in the rising number of single-parent households.”

“Our society is in disarray due to this moral disorder. The result is broken homes, children growing up without both parents and a loss of respect for noble values,” the Angolan member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (CSSp./Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans) said. 

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He expressed the fear that the Angolan “society is heading towards collapse because stable families come from stable relationships; without stable families, society cannot stand.”

Bishop Camuto advocated for the fostering of Christian values early in life. He said, “Fidelity must begin in courtship so that we can build a morally sound society where Christians truly live by God's word.”

He went on to appeal, “Let us abandon infidelity in marriage and live by the Christian values of love and faithfulness.”

The Catholic Church leader faulted the practice of polygamy, saying, “Some men claim that polygamy is part of African culture, but be careful! Culture must be evangelized and enlightened by the Gospel. Otherwise, it will lead to destruction.”

The consequences of polygamy, he said, are evident in the “struggles of men who cannot support multiple families, which in turn leads to societal problems like delinquency and crime among children growing up without adequate parental care.”

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Christians must lead by example in restoring the moral fabric of society, the 60-year-old Spiritan Bishop emphasized, adding, “As Christians, we must be the light and salt of the earth, as Jesus commanded. We must be at the forefront of societal change.

Addressing himself to Catholic youths in Angola, Bishop Camuto said, “Continue forward with hope and be the salt and light for other young people. There have many challenges in Angola, but you must not give up or lose hope.”

He underscored the need for nurturing a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ, saying, “Do not forget Jesus, prayer, and faith. Only with these elements can you achieve true victory. Everything else is just a shadow.”

João Vissesse

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

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