The National Congress for the Laity in Angola is considered a decisive milestone for the Church. The congress likely addressed key issues and challenges facing the laity within the Angolan Church. The event may have involved discussions, workshops, and presentations aimed at strengthening the role of laypeople. The congress could have focused on topics such as evangelization, social justice, and family life.
5 months ago
The Third National Congress of Catholic Laity in Angola, scheduled for July 24–25, 2025, is heralded as a "decisive milestone" for the Catholic Church in the southern African nation 1 2. Organized by the National Secretariat for the Apostolate of the Laity of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST), this event marks the resumption of a four-year coordination cycle that was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic 2.
Sebastião Marques Panzo, director of the National Secretariat for the Apostolate of the Laity, emphasized that the congress aims to strengthen lay identity, promote social transformation, and renew the mission of Catholic laypeople in society 2. Panzo views it as a crucial moment for self-assessment and future planning, stating that "without evaluation, there is no authentic progress" 2. The event's four-year rhythm allows lay movements to assess their work, reaffirm their mission, and adapt to changing realities in light of Church teachings 2.
Previous congresses, held in Luanda in 1992 and 2019, each addressed distinct historical contexts 2. The first, post-transition to multiparty democracy, called for laypeople to embrace citizenship, while the 2019 congress focused on laypeople as "salt and light in the world," emphasizing active citizenship, solidarity, and public witness of faith 2. The 2025 congress seeks to consolidate these learnings and build a more structured and influential lay Church 2.
The congress, hosted in the Namibe Diocese to underscore its national character and the importance of lay involvement across all regions, is guided by the theme "Angola at 50 Years: The Role of Catholic Laity in the Political, Social, Economic, and Business Sectors" 2. It will feature two main activities: a public conference open to all baptized individuals and a closed session for 150 delegates, with three representatives from each CEAST diocese, including São Tomé 2. These delegates are tasked with drafting and approving strategic directions for the next four years 2.
The public session is designed for formation and integration, while the closed-door session focuses on decision-making and unified progress 2. The program also incorporates prayer, biblical formation, and catechesis, aiming for a "solid balance between faith and action" 2. To ensure broad accessibility, the entire congress will be livestreamed on a virtual parish platform, reaching Catholics unable to travel to Namibe 2.
Delegates are expected to engage local movements, collect testimonies, and bring grounded insights to the discussions 2. Following the event, two key documents will be published: a report with recommendations from the public conference and a strategic orientation document for the next four years, both to be available on the official event website 2. Panzo expressed hope for a more participatory, transparent, and missionary Church, encouraging each layperson to embrace their vocation with courage and wisdom 2.
What is the laity's role in the Church's mission?
The laity's role in the Church's mission is essential and multifaceted, stemming from their baptismal dignity and their unique position in the world . They are called to participate actively in the Church's evangelizing mission, bringing the Gospel to various aspects of human life and society .
All the faithful, by virtue of their baptism and confirmation, are called to publicly profess, spread, and defend the faith as true witnesses of Christ . This call to evangelization is a fundamental duty for all members of the People of God, regardless of whether they hold special functions within the Church hierarchy . The Second Vatican Council emphasized that baptism confers a dignity that includes imitating Christ, fostering communion, and fulfilling the missionary mandate .
A distinctive mark of the laity is their secularity, meaning they are called to live their vocation primarily in the secular world . They are to shape this world according to God's will, bringing the Gospel to its structures and consecrating the world itself to God through their holy lives . This involves evangelizing various sectors such as family, social, professional, cultural, and political life .
The apostolate of the laity extends to numerous spheres, including:
The success of the lay apostolate depends on their living union with Christ . Through their "wordless witness," lay Christians can stir profound questions in the hearts of others, leading them to inquire about the source of their faith and hope . This silent proclamation of the Good News is powerful and effective . The Church's mission is concentrated and manifested in evangelization, and every disciple is personally called to participate in this mission . The active presence of the laity is crucial for the renewal of the Church, making them largely responsible for its future .
traduza
O Congresso Nacional para o Laicato em Angola é um "marco decisivo para a Igreja".