Talatona - More than 2,000 Simon Kimbangu (Kimbaguistas) believers marched on Sunday in the Province of Luanda, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the official recognition of this African christian church denomination by the Angolan authorities.
The march started at the Camama roundabout towards Talatona, and ended at the new temple, located in Fubú neighbourhood and marked the opening of the commemorative days of the date which are scheduled to end on December 22, with the inauguration of the new temple which is still under construction.
Speaking to the press, the top leader of the religious congregation, Kisolokele Kiangani Paul, said that the date of official recognition of the Kimbanguista church is a significant milestone in the history of churches in Angola.
He highlighted the existing alliance between the church and the state, which is summarized in partnerships focused on the development of education, health and professional training.
To him, the church's cooperation with the authorities has also included programs to combat the vandalization of public assets, disorderly sales, crime and all forms of contributions aimed at helping Angola's growth.
He said that since the creation of the church, the objective has been to work for the well-being of people, both spiritually and physically, building schools, health units and temples throughout Angola to spread the gospel.
In this aspect, he highlighted the construction of a higher health school in Mbanza Kongo, Zaire province.
The Kimbanguist church is part of a christian religion founded by Simon Kimbangu in the then Belgian Congo, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in 1921.
MAG/MRA/jmc
