Angolan Spiritan Archbishop Urges Christians to Reject Tribalism, Embrace Cultural Diversity

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of the Archdiocese of Lubango told Christians to reject tribalism and discrimination based on ethnicity, language, or culture. Speaking during a Mass at Our Lady of the Immaculate Parish on October 17, the Spiritan archbishop said receiving the Holy Spirit requires welcoming people from different backgrounds rather than using identity to exclude others.

The archbishop, who has led the Lubango Archdiocese since September 2009, noted that the Holy Spirit serves as the source of unity within the Church through a diversity of languages and traditions. He warned against using language that creates contempt for those outside one's own culture and stated that Christians can no longer isolate themselves within specific ethnic or linguistic communities.

During the Mass, 302 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Archbishop Mbilingi referenced the event of Pentecost to explain that linguistic and cultural differences should create opportunities for dialogue and stronger relationships rather than division.