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Catholic Bishops in Angola Urge Active Participation in National Population Census

João Vissesse

By João Vissesse

Luanda, 22 September, 2024 / 8:19 pm (ACI Africa).

Catholic Bishops in Angola have, in different forums, urged inhabitants of the Southern African nation to “engage fully” in the country's General Population and Housing Census.

The nationwide census that started on Thursday, September 19 and is to run for four weeks aims at collecting data on population and housing across the entire country. 

Addressing journalists Thursday, September 19, Bishop Vicente Sanombo of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Kwito-Bié called on residents of his Episcopal See to “engage fully in the census.”

Bishop Sanombo underscored the necessity of nationwide involvement in the process to ensure the government has the accurate information it needs to improve governance and living conditions.

“No one should be left out. The Catholic Church urges all citizens to engage in this process, as the numerical and statistical data will guide government planning and foster social and economic prosperity for the country,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop said.

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He added, “It is essential that all Angolans participate in the census. The information gathered will allow the government to plan better and ensure better living conditions for all.” 

Bishop Sanombo noted that the census is not “solely a government task but a collective responsibility of all Angolan citizens.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Maurício Agostinho Camuto of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Caxito said the process “will directly influence public policies aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Angolans.”

“The census produces essential information for economic and social development. This data is relevant not only for public and private sectors but for all citizens,” Bishop Camuto said.

He added, “We must know how many we are, where we are, and how we are doing.”

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The Angolan Catholic Bishop called on the entire population to “cooperate with census takers, providing accurate information that will guide future government initiatives.”

“We should warmly welcome the field agents,” the Angolan member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (CSSp./Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans) said. 

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 than 32 million people, with 95% of the population being of Bantu origin.

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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