AFRICA/ANGOLA - Family and marriage, focus of CEAST Second Plenary Assembly

Luanda (Agenzia Fides) – "Marriage and the Family" is the theme of the Second Plenary Assembly of CEAST (Conferência Episcopal de Angola and São Tomé), which opened October 20 in Luanda.
During the week of the Assembly, presided by Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi, Archbishop of Lubango and President of CEAST, the bishops will prepare the pastoral plan for the years 2011 - 2013, based on the general theme: "Family, Get Up and Walk."
During the opening session, the President of CEAST recalled some of the major events that have marked the life of the Church since the last meeting of the bishops, in particular the closing of the Year for Priests. "I think we can continue to reap the rewards of this year established by the Holy Father for the good of the whole ecclesial community, drawing attention to the importance, dignity, and mission of the priest, a person who loves," said Archbishop Mbilingi.
Among the other events mentioned by the President of CEAST was the celebration of the 70th anniversary of three dioceses (the Archdioceses of Luanda and Huambo and the Diocese of Bie) and the first Catechetical Congress held in Kuito Bie. In this regard, Archbishop Mbilingi said the Congress was "a chance to revive the ministry of the catechist for the future of evangelization of our country."
As for social life, the President of CEAST drew attention to one of the points mentioned in the recent address to the nation given by the President of the Republic, on the recovery of moral values. "This is our specific field, albeit with the collaboration of the entire human community," said Archbishop Mbilingi. The Archbishop of Lubango therefore suggested: "Maybe it would be good to revisit the possibility of offering lessons in morality and religion in schools, at least in Catholic schools."
Lastly, the President of CEAST touched on some social issues such as unemployment, social exclusion, poverty, and crime. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2010)