Catholic Archbishop in Angola Cautions against Indifference to Suffering

By João Vissesse

Huambo, 16 June, 2026 / 3:36 pm (ACI Africa).

Archbishop Zeferino Zeca Martins of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Huambo in Angola has cautioned against indifference to human suffering, urging Christians to express their faith through concrete acts of solidarity with vulnerable families.

In a homily marking the closing Mass of a pastoral visit on June 14 at St. Anthony Parish of his Metropolitan See, Archbishop Zeca emphasized that Christian discipleship must be reflected in active concern for those facing poverty, unemployment, and social hardship.

“We cannot say we follow Christ if we remain indifferent to the pain of our brothers,” he said, calling on the faithful to translate belief into practical gestures of compassion and closeness.

The Angolan Catholic Archbishop noted that the Church’s mission includes walking with people in difficult life situations and ensuring that communities become places of welcome, support, and hope.

“The mission of the Church also involves accompanying those who face economic, social, and family difficulties,” he said.

Archbishop Zeca added, “Charity cannot be just a beautiful word; it must become a concrete attitude that transforms people’s lives.”

The Catholic Archbishop emphasized that Christian solidarity should be expressed through sharing, service to the vulnerable, and accompaniment of those in need, stating that proximity to the poor is a way of encountering Christ himself.

He also called on the Church to remain a visible sign of hope in society, urging believers to promote fraternity and unity.

“The world needs men and women capable of building bridges and not walls, capable of generating hope where discouragement seems to prevail,” the Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) said.

Highlighting the importance of family life, Archbishop Zeca emphasized that the home remains the primary place where values are transmitted and faith is nurtured.

Catholics Urged to Prepare for “encounter with God” at Mozambique’s Namaacha Marian Pilgrimage

“Greater attention to the education of the younger generations is necessary,” he said, noting that strong families benefit society as a whole.

The Catholic Church leader further urged parents to take an active role in guiding their children, warning that children learn more from example than from words.

“Parental witness remains one of the most effective forms of education,” he said.

Addressing young people, the Catholic Archbishop encouraged them to persevere in hope despite social and economic difficulties, assuring them that God continues to guide those who remain faithful.

“Even in the face of the limitations we encounter, we must not lose confidence,” he said.

Archbishop Zeca reaffirmed the Church’s commitment in Huambo to social and pastoral outreach, especially toward the poor and marginalized, insisting that evangelization must always include attention to human dignity and real-life needs.

He called on the faithful to become instruments of hope in their communities.

“We can all be instruments of God’s hope in someone’s life,” Archbishop Zeca said.

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