Quiçama - The Bishop of the Diocese of Viana, Dom Emílio Sumbelelo, on Sunday called on society and politicians to make a joint effort to speed up the progress of Angola and take it out of its current difficult economic and social situation.
"The time has come to put aside all political differences and think of the country in terms of a greater consensus between the authors of Angola's political path", emphasised the bishop, who was speaking at the closing mass of the pilgrimage to Muxima Church.
For the Catholic leader, in order to overcome the various current challenges that life imposes on citizens, it is necessary to be in communion with God, in the grace of Mama Muxima, always looking to the common good.
"It's time for change, to abandon what separates us and develop true fraternity, following the way of the Cross for the good of all Angolans" said the bishop.
The bishop called on everyone to practice forgiveness, open and fraternal dialogue for a healthy society.
Bishop Emílio Sumbelelo urged faithful ones to cultivate love for their neighbour, taking into account that today's society is sick with a lot of selfishness, intolerance and individualism, discarding the virtues of compassion and collective goodness.
The bishop urged the faithful to leave the pilgrimage with a spirit of kindness and of serving others, obtaining a new and humble heart so that each person understands the will of the mother of Jesus Christ.
The pilgrimage, which ended Sunday, ran from September 1 to 3, under the motto "With Mary, Let's Love and Protect the Children", and was attended by thousands of Catholic faithful from the country's 18 provinces and other parts of the world.
The event is one of the largest of the Catholic Church in Angol held annually to hail the holy figure of Mama Muxima, mother of Jesus Christ.
During the three-day event various activities took place, including Masses, confessions, catechesis and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Nossa Senhora da Conceição da Muxima Church is located in Quiçama municipality, 130 kilometres off Luanda city and has a history dating back to the 16th century.
History
Mamã Muxima is a Catholic shrine of worship located in the province of Luanda, in the municipality of Quiçama.
This municipality once belonged to Bengo Province, until the Council of Ministers approved the decree (Law number 29/11, of 1 September) that disassociated two former Bengo municipalities (Ícolo e Bengo and Quissama) to belong to Luanda province.
Muxima means heart in the Kimbundu (indigeneous) vernacular and its church has been a national monument since 1924.
The Church of Our Lady of Muxima houses the shrine of Our Lady of Muxima, which receives thousands of pilgrims every year, especially at the time of the Feast of Our Lady of Muxima, always in September.
It was built between 1641 and 1648 after the image of Our Lady of Muxima was transferred there by the Dutch.
The site is also home to the Muxima Fortress, built in 1599 by Portuguese forces on a hill on the left bank of the Kwanza River as a defence of the prison that served as a depot for goods and slaves.
It was also declared a national monument in 1924.
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