Pride Undermines Dialogue, Fraternity: Catholic Bishop in Angola

“Many of the problems in our homes, our religious communities, in relationships between political parties, and within governments would be resolved through a spirit of humility and gentleness,” Bishop Jaca said.

The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) cautioned against the destructive effects of pride, saying it often drives people to impose their own will at the expense of dialogue and mutual respect.

“When pride takes hold of us, even within the family, things never go well because one person wants to dominate and demands absolute obedience from the other. There is no dialogue, there is no love—only subjugation,” he said.

Reflecting on Christ’s teaching, Bishop Jaca urged the faithful to view others as brothers and sisters rather than adversaries.

“The other person is your brother, not your enemy,” he said, noting that recognizing the dignity of every human person is essential for building united and supportive communities.

The Local Ordinary of Benguela also warned against materialism and the relentless pursuit of power, saying excessive attachment to wealth distracts people from life’s essential values.

He observed that the constant desire to acquire more possessions fuels selfishness, encourages corruption, and weakens social cohesion.

Bishop Jaca noted that lasting human development depends not only on economic progress but also on forming citizens committed to honesty, solidarity, justice, dialogue, and service to the common good.

He invited Christians to allow God to transform their hearts so they could overcome hatred, violence, and the desire for revenge.

“The transformation of society begins with the conversion of each individual, who is called to live love, compassion, and reconciliation every day,” he said.