Catholic Bishop in Angola Challenges Pastoral Agents to Make Parishes Spaces for Legal Awareness

Bishop Belmiro Cuica Chissengueti of the Diocese of Cabinda has called on pastoral agents to use parishes to increase legal awareness among Catholics and local communities. During a meeting with pastoral agents at Holy Spirit Parish on September 30, the bishop urged the Church to help people understand their rights, duties, and the legal options available to resolve daily problems.

Bishop Chissengueti, a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit with a background in civil law and human rights, said the Pastoral Ministry for Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation should lead this effort. He suggested that parish groups and movements receive basic information about laws that affect social life, such as the constitution, taxation, and property regulations.

The bishop proposed that parishes disseminate information on one or two laws every month. He clarified that the goal is not to train pastoral agents to act as lawyers, but to foster a culture of legal knowledge within the community.