“Compliance with rules cannot justify indifference”: Catholic Bishop in Angola Urges Care for People in Need

Bishop Dionisio Hisilenapo of the Namibe Diocese urged Christians to prioritize human life over protocols and formalities during a homily on October 5. Speaking at the chapel of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe in Luanda, he called for compassion and practical help for those who have lost their property and means of supporting their families.

Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, Hisilenapo noted that many Angolan citizens continue to suffer in streets and communities. He specifically highlighted the struggles of street vendors, known locally as mamãs zungueiras, who rely on daily sales to feed their children. He described how these women face being chased away and having their goods destroyed, leaving them unable to afford food or school for their families.