Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Over 8 million Angolans will go the polls on September 5 to elect 220 members of Parliament, from among candidates from 14 political parties in the first elections to be held since 1992. The two main contenders in the race are the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), who have been in power since the nation’s independence and the UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), that after the civil war ended in 2002 became the leading opposition party.
On the occasion of this important event, Agenzia Fides is publishing a brief biographical sketch of the country and the Church.
The Republic of Angola has an area of 1,246,700 km2 and has a population of over 16 million people, 9 million under the age of 18. Located on the Atlantic Coast of southern Africa, Angola borders Namibia to the south, Zambia to the east, the Democratic Republic of Congo to the northeast, and (through the enclave of Cabinda) the Republic of Congo.
History
Angola began as a Portuguese colony in 1482. In 1955, the colony was restyled as an Portuguese overseas province. The fight for independence lasted 20 years. Finally, on November 11, 1975 did the country gain full independence, however in the meantime, a civil war began that would last another 20 years, between the UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) and the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola). The former received support from the United States and South Africa and the latter, from the Soviet Union and Cuba. The civil war, along with the famine and epidemics, caused the death of at least 1,500,000 people and the flight of nearly 2,500,000 refugees.
Also, as a result of the Cold War and the democratic developments in South Africa, in 1994 a peace accord was signed between the government and the UNITA and in April 1997, a government of national unity was formed by members of both parties. However, in late 1998, UNITA broke the agreement and conflict arose once more, leading to the flight of hundreds of thousands of people from their land. In 2002, following the death of the founder and leader of UNITA, a new agreement was signed, establishing peace.
Economy
Angola is still having to face the damages left from 25 years of civil war. The country is rich in natural resources. In April 2008, Angola became the leading producer of raw materials in Africa, surpassing Nigeria with its production of 1.9 million barrels of fuel per day. Also among the country’s natural resources are diamonds, gold, phosphate, bauxite, and uranium. With the end of the civil war, many foreign investors have begun investing in the country, in order to improve the economic infrastructure. The country ranks number 19 among the leading recipients of international aid (in 2005, it received 1,144,000,000 dollars in aid) and frim 2000-2005, Angola has recorded one of the highest inflation rates (79.2%). However, there are also positive aspects to be noted: between 1994 and 2004, the country experienced a general growth in the Gross National Product (7.4%), making it number 10 among the countries with strongest economic development. According to the World Bank, the growth rate of the Angolan economy in 2008 should come out to 20%. This is a considerable outcome, considering the fact that in the previous decade (1984-1994), Angola was among the countries with a negative economic growth rate (-1.4%). This increased wealth, however, has still not converted into an improved standard of living for the majority of Angolans. Among the social plagues of the nation is AIDS, which affects 3.7% of the population (including sick and those tested 0-positive), and the lack of drinking water, which affects at least half of the population. The mortality rate is one of the world’s highest: 21 deaths for every 1,000 people.
The Church
The first missionaries arrived in Angola in 1491. The Missionary Agreement of May 7, 1940 signed between Lisbon and the Holy See encouraged missionary activity, although they were still under Portuguese rule. The first Angolan-born Bishop was appointed in 1970. In a moment of temporary ceasefire, John Paul II visited Angola June 4-10 of 1992.
There are 8,334,000 Catholics, distributed in 18 dioceses, with 283 parishes. There are 25 Bishops, 410 diocesan priests, 339 religious priests, 157 professed brothers, 2,204 religious sisters, and 26,341 catechists. The Catholic Church runs 71 preschools with 10,527 students; 256 elementary schools with 148,371 students; 126 high schools with 52,366 students. The Catholic University of Luanda, the nation’s capital, is the most prestigious school in the country, even though it only opened its doors 8 years ago. The Catholic Church also runs 18 hospitals, 256 clinics, 3 leper colonies, 11 shelters, 42 orphanages, 25 child care centers, and 4 family counseling offices (information gathered from the most recent Statistical Annuary of the Church). (LM) (Agenzia Fides 3/9/2008)
