TheCatholic Church in Angola is part of the worldwideCatholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of thePope inRome.
Catholicism was introduced toAngola by thePortuguese explorers since 1491 when the first missionaries arrived.[1]
Many of the missionaries saw themselves as Portuguese, rather than integrating into Angolan society. Non-Portuguese missionaries were required to renounce the laws of their own country and submit to Portuguese law, as well as prove their ability to speak and write the Portuguese language.[2] The Colonial Act of 1930 advanced the view that Portuguese Catholic missions to the country were "instruments of civilization and national influence".[2]
The last census in 2014 noted that 56.4% of theAngolan population identified asRoman Catholic.[3]
As of 2020, approximately 53.85%[4][5] of the population professed the Catholic faith, due largely toAngola's history as a formerPortuguese colony.
The Catholic Church has 19 dioceses in Angola, including 5 archdioceses.[6] All thebishops are members of the regionalEpiscopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé.
TheCatholic University of Angola opened in 1998.[7]
In 2020, theVatican noted that there are over 1200 priests and 2200 nuns in Angola, serving 469 parishes and 44 Catholic hospitals.[8]
The Catholic radio station Ecclesia is broadcast in 16 of Angola's 18provinces.Vatican Radio and Maria Radio also operate in the country.[9]
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