AFRICA/ANGOLA - Statement from Luanda archdiocese on the question of clearing of illegally occupied land destined for the building of a church

Thursday, 18 January 2007

Luanda (Agenzia Fides) - The Angolan Archdiocese of Luanda issued a statement to clarify its position with regard to a land site in Kilamba Kiaxi, illegally occupied by people who were then expelled. A local humanitarian association protested against the manner in which the occupants were expelled.
“In 1998 - the statement reads - the government of the Province of Luanda gave the archdiocese of Luanda a piece of land which was later legally registered. The land was uncultivated and without buildings since there would be no sense in giving a peace of land which was occupied or built up”.
The land in question will serve “for the building of a church and various social service centres”. In the year 2000 the Archdiocese wanted to start levelling the ground in preparation for the shrine. “The hilly land was occupied by people who began to build without authorisation and in an anarchical manner. Although informed of the land’s ownership, they and other people continued opportunistically and irresponsibly to build houses,” the statement says.
Despite an intervention by the local authorities and a wall built to prevent access, the illegal building continued. “When some of the occupants refused to leave and destroyed a greater part of the wall, the archdiocese of Luanda had no choice but to call for the intervention of the legitimate authorities to restore order” the statement continued.
“Having learned of acts of violence when some people refused to obey the police order- the note said - the Archdiocese cannot fail to express regret for this violence. However the truth of the matter is that since it became the owner of the land the archdiocese has sought in keeping with the law and in a spirit of good faith and harmony to rectify irregular situations. It is also true that persons with evil intentions sought opportunistically and illegally manner to take advantage of the situation, violating the rights of the archdiocese and other institutions”.
“Without respect for the law there can be no peace or democracy. In addition we must recall that the local Catholic Church has always been at the service of the people” the statement concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/1/2007 righe 36 parole 396)


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