“We need a revolution of gratitude and care”: Angolan Catholic Archbishop Calls for Solidarity with the Elderly

“I invite you to a revolution of gratitude and care. We can do much by visiting the elderly regularly, creating networks of support and prayer for them and with them, and building relationships that restore hope and dignity to those who feel forgotten,” he added.

The pilgrimage was held under the theme, “With St. Anne, Pilgrims of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace.” Archbishop Dias said the celebration should also inspire families to prepare future generations to care for the elderly by giving children a strong moral and spiritual formation.

“The future of society begins with the education of children and young people, because they will one day have the responsibility of building more humane families and caring for the elderly,” he said.

According to the Catholic Archbishop, the family remains the primary school of human and Christian values.

“The education that leaves the deepest mark is the one received at home. The family environment is the first place where people learn how to live,” he said.

(Story continues below)

He emphasized that families are the first place where values, customs, and beliefs are transmitted and where children discover the meaning of life.

Archbishop Dias cautioned parents against delegating the responsibility of raising their children entirely to others or relying excessively on technology.

“Families bear a very serious and profound responsibility,” he said, urging parents not to leave “the education of their children in the hands of third parties or of devices, technologies, and artificial intelligence.”

The Catholic Archbishop also reminded adults that their personal witness has a lasting influence on younger generations.

“Before we worry about whether others live the faith or not, we are first invited to live it ourselves,” he said.

He added that the values cultivated within families ultimately shape society.

“Much depends on the good or the evil that is sown in the family. If we sow generosity, if we sow altruism, people will certainly grow in those virtues,” Archbishop Dias said. 

Meanwhile, Bishop Dionísio Hisilenapo of the Catholic Diocese of Namibe in Angola has challenged political leaders, public officials, and all Christians to cultivate a listening heart, saying authentic leadership is rooted in humility, discernment, and a commitment to justice, particularly for the poor and the vulnerable.

In his homily during Mass at Our Lady of Grace Parish of the Diocese of Ondjiva, Bishop Hisilenapo reflected on the example of King Solomon, saying leaders should seek God’s wisdom rather than power.

“The example of King Solomon remains relevant today because it teaches that those who govern should ask for wisdom, not power. The mission of every authority is to discern good from evil and to place the common good above personal interests,” he said.

The Catholic Bishop said genuine leadership is not expressed through authoritarianism but through a willingness to listen both to God and to the people.

“True wisdom is linked to the ability to listen,” Bishop Hisilenapo said, warning that ignoring the cries of the people inevitably leads to injustice and social suffering.

He further cautioned against corruption and the misuse of public office, insisting that authority must always serve the common good rather than private interests.

“A society cannot progress when resources are appropriated by a few at the expense of the common good,” he said, adding that public institutions have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable and promote a more equitable distribution of opportunities.

The Catholic Bishop also warned against excessive attachment to material wealth, arguing that lasting happiness is found not in possessions but in a peaceful conscience and a life dedicated to serving others.

“Inner peace is worth more than any wealth,” he said, noting that material riches are temporary, while lives marked by solidarity, justice, and generosity leave a lasting legacy.

Addressing family life, Bishop Hisilenapo expressed concern about what he described as the erosion of parental authority and the weakening of family bonds, saying these trends contribute to youth disorientation, violence, and the loss of essential values.

He encouraged parents to restore dialogue within their homes, accompany their children more closely, and faithfully pass on the values they inherited from previous generations.

The Catholic Bishop also emphasized that dialogue and forgiveness are indispensable for healthy marriages. Inviting a married couple to participate in a demonstration during his homily, he urged spouses never to end the day without speaking to one another, reconciling, and asking forgiveness.

“Marriage is lived day by day—it is talking, dialoguing, working together, and asking for forgiveness,” Bishop Hisilenapo said, calling on families to remain united amid the challenges of contemporary society.