The Archbishop of Luanda, Dom Filomeno Vieira Dias, has issued a call for the Catholic Church to deepen its engagement with the pressing social issues confronting Angolan society, urging a shift from purely ceremonial roles to tangible community action.
Speaking on Sunday, July 13, during a Confirmation Eucharist at the Parish of Saint John Calabria in the municipality of Kilamba Kiaxi, Dom Filomeno stressed that the Church’s mission must extend beyond liturgical celebrations.
He emphasized the need for active participation in improving the living conditions of the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
“The Church must be closer to the people’s problems and contribute with concrete gestures to the construction of a more just, fraternal and supportive society,” the Archbishop declared.
His remarks were delivered at the close of a ceremony in which young parishioners received the sacrament of Confirmation — a rite Dom Filomeno described as a symbolic new beginning, especially for the youth, who he believes must take on greater responsibility in shaping a more compassionate society.
Drawing on the legacy of Saint John Calabria, the patron of the parish and a figure known for his commitment to the formation of young people and priests, Dom Filomeno encouraged parishioners to embody the values of charity and community service.
The Archbishop also reflected on his own early years of service in the Rocha Pinto neighborhood, where he worked as a catechist and scout. “It was there, as a catechist and scout, that I understood the real impact of faith when it manifests itself in concrete actions within communities,” he recalled.
Acknowledging the complexities of modern life, Dom Filomeno warned of a growing crisis of values, urging Christians to respond with fraternity, prudence, and spiritual resilience.
The Parish of Saint John Calabria has earned a strong reputation for its outreach initiatives, including charity programs, family support, and the celebration of religious life milestones. Its work stands as a testament to the very model of community-centered faith that the Archbishop is championing.
As Angola continues to navigate economic and social challenges, Dom Filomeno’s message resonates as both a call to conscience and a renewed vision for the Church’s role in national life.
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