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Catholic Bishop in Angola Urges Clergy to Confront Secularism, Relativism in Modern Society

Bishop Emílio Sumbelelo of Viana Diocese

Members of Clergy and Theologians in Angola who are meeting to explore the challenges of evangelizing an increasingly secular world have been challenged to find ways to also address the growing influence of relativism in today’s society.  

Addressing participants at the opening of the Permanent Clergy Formation Days for the Archdiocese of Luanda as well as the Catholic Diocese of Viana and Caxito Diocese, Bishop Emílio Sumbelelo of Vianna warned of the dangers posed by a secularized world and its impact on the Christian faithful.

“We live under the influence of a secularized world, marked by theories of relativism,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop said during the event that was held at the Catholic University of Angola (UCAN) from January 27 to 29. 

He added, “Secularism, along with its doctrines, continues to infiltrate all social classes, including among us here.”

Themed “Speaking Today about God and His Revelation,” the three-day forum brings together Clergy and theologians to discuss the challenges of evangelizing in a modern, increasingly secular world.

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Bishop Sumbelelo expressed concern about the growing secularization of Christians, noting that many are adopting secular values without realizing it. 

“A significant number of Christians are becoming increasingly secularized, unaware of this shift. As watchmen of the Lord, we must guide our faithful in resisting secularism, which is the antichrist of modern times,” he said,

The Local Ordinary of Viana who also serves as President of the Episcopal Commission for Family and Life of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) said, “All the forces of anti-Christianity are uniting into a single front. The forecast for the Church is a storm. The final battle of the spirits is about to begin.”

He urged the Clergy and laypeople to rise to the occasion, saying, “The great moment has come. May this hour find a generation—priests and faithful—ready to confront the enemy, suffer, die, and triumph alongside Christ.”

Fr. Augusto Malengue, a member of the organizing committee, highlighted the necessity of ongoing formation for the Clergy. 

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“Quality formation in various fields of knowledge is essential and urgent for ministerial Priesthood,” he said. 

Fr. Malengue added, “As far back as 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council reminded us that the Church needs priests. But more than focusing on quantity, we must prioritize quality.”

He noted that the “integrity of leaders is the salvation of the people,” adding, “Evangelization demands permanent formation for all.”

Fr. Malengue also emphasized the inclusive nature of the event that dedicated a separate day to laypeople. 

“The Church is not just for ordained ministers. It belongs to everyone, from the first baptized to the last. This is what synodality means: walking together toward shared goals,” he said.

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Fr. Malengue added, “The guiding theme of this formation—speaking about God and His revelation—is both relevant and challenging in a world where the absolute is relativized and the relative is absolutized.”

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