Catholic bishop in Angola decries child abduction, exploitation risks in border region

LUANDA, Angola — Bishop Vicente Carlos Kiaziku of the Diocese of Mbanza Congo in Angola has decried the reported abduction of children in Zaire province, warning that minors taken away from their families could become vulnerable to exploitation, including organ trafficking, prostitution, and modern slavery.

In his homily during Mass at Our Lady of the Conception Cathedral of Mbanza Congo Diocese on Sept. 27, Kiaziku reflected on the vulnerability of children living in situations of abandonment and called on families, authorities, and society to take greater responsibility for their protection.

“The abduction of children to be taken to the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC] is a horrible thing,” the bishop said.

He warned that children who are abducted could become victims of “organ trafficking, modern slavery, and prostitution.”

The bishop described such forms of exploitation as a serious threat to the dignity and safety of minors and urged the local community to remain vigilant.

“Children who are taken away do not go to paradise — no, they go to hell. We must do everything to ensure that this does not happen among us,” he added, calling on “families, authorities, and society as a whole” to remain attentive and vigilant.”

Kiaziku said the protection of children should not be left solely to individual families or government institutions but should be regarded as a responsibility shared by the entire community.

“Preventing child abduction and trafficking must be assumed as a collective responsibility, especially in a region bordering the DRC,” he said.

Movement of people has been reported between Angola and the DRC Zaire province, where the Diocese of Mbanza Kongo is located, and has important crossing points such as Luvo.

Angola and the DRC share a land border of approximately 2,511 kilometers (about 1,560 miles), including about 225 kilometers (approximately 140 miles) in Cabinda province. The remainder is in mainland Angola, including Zaire province.

Kiaziku also drew attention to children who have been abandoned in the province, saying that some of them are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. He appealed for solidarity with children living without adequate family protection, making a particular appeal to families who have the means to welcome children into their homes.

“How good it would be, for example, if families who can do so adopted one of those children,” Kiaziku said.

The bishop said such solidarity could help protect children from situations of abandonment and reduce their exposure to exploitation and other dangers.

This story was first published by ACI Africa, the sister service of EWTN News in Africa, and has been adapted by EWTN News.