Catholic Priest in Angola Urges Christians to Speak Out Against Corruption, Abuse of Power

Father Bantu Mendonça Kacthipwi Sayla urged Christians and Angolan society to denounce corruption, the abuse of power, and the violation of fundamental rights. During a homily on Thursday, October 29, at the Chapel of the Bishop’s House of Benguela, the priest told the faithful they must not passively accept the loss of essential rights, including access to water, electricity, food, security, and freedom of expression.

Father Sayla, who serves as the director of the social communication office for the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe and the director of Rádio Ecclesia in the Diocese of Benguela, stated that defending human dignity requires confronting those who use power to harm the population. He identified corruption and the exploitation of the poor as obstacles to social justice.

The priest criticized individuals who use the needs of the population to gain personal advantages while citizens lack basic living conditions. He called on the faithful to raise their voices against those who exploit the vulnerable and to defend truth and justice.