Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Luanda (Fides Service)- “The goal is to build a climate of trust so elections will be transparent without protest or suspicion”, Angolan Catholic Bishop José Francisco Moreira dos Santo head of the Pro Peace Movement said in an interview with the local Catholic newspaper ‘Apostolado’ with regard to the aim of the Movement’s 2nd Congress in Luanda, capital of Angola.
The Bishop said the widespread conviction in many African countries that elections are always unjust must be overcome with facts: “It is commonly said that when there are elections they are never fair. And this is true; if freedom or justice are missing elections will not be fair. But if elections are held in a climate of liberty and justice then the accusations are unjust. We wish to avoid this to prevent violence”.
Bishop Moreira dos Santos fears that the people, disappointed by the 1992 election, will not go to vote in the next elections in Angola 2006. The 1992 election, the first in Angola, were marked by fraud and led to a resuming of civil war.
“It is good then to spread confidence among the people, to explain that elections are a fundamental on the way to democracy. In this context we held our Congress” the Bishop head of “Pro Peace” said.
Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolari movement was invited as a special guest but unable to attend she sent a representative Vera Araùjo. Bishop Moreira dos Santos is clear about the role of the Focolari movement in Angola: “Angola is a young country and I think it has yet to form a sense of unity and nation, in this sense the Focolari movement can help to spread a spirit of unity in plurality. And in Angola a country of many ethnic groups, languages, parties, churches and sects there is need of unity, fatherland, nationality. I think out conference can help in this undertaking”.
The 4 day congress reflected on various themes including “Democracy and its History” Dr Filomeno Vieira Lopes; “Human rights and Democracy” Ana Maria de Oliveira; “Elections and Democracy” Dr Bornito de Sousal “Alternate power and democracy” Dr Jacka Jamba; “Bishops and Democracy” Rev. Luis Nguimbi; “Free market and democracy” Ismael Matues; “citizenship and Democracy” Anàlia Victòria Pereira.
The Pro Peace movement started in 2000, with a congress which closed with a call for a cease fire between the government and rebels. When peace was made in 2002, the movement promoted formation courses all over the country to build a network of reconcilers, called by Bishop Moreira dos Santos “bombers of peace”, whose task is to prevent conflict arising when guerrillas return to their villages. “We know that many are tempted by a desire for revenge and this is why we seek to build a network of reconcilers, mostly priests and catechists” said the Bishop of Uìje. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2005 righe 46 parole 597)
