Marian shrine of Muxima, Angola Catholic bishops said the Covid-19 pandemic is exacerbating an already grave imbalance in living conditions and opportunities, alongside an “unbridled race to exploit hydrocarbons” in its parks and nature reserves.
“We are concerned about a degradation of the political discourse that threatens a collapse in the national unity, reconciliation, justice and peace, which have been under construction with so much sacrifice,” said the bishops’ conference of Angola and São Tomé.
“Our country’s social situation continues to worsen, with high levels of poverty, hunger, unemployment, a sharp loss of purchasing power and the closure of businesses. The lack of rain has again raised the spectre of hunger, so we call on the authorities to create a contingency plan to help.”
The message was issued after a February 24-March 1 conference meeting at the Marian shrine of Muxima, as Angola became the first country in eastern and southern Africa to receive vaccines under a COVAX program backed by the World Health Organization.
