Talatona – The MPLA's vice-president, Luísa Damião, praised this Sunday, in Luanda, the contribution made by the Tocoísta Church in education for citizenship and in retrieving the ethical, cultural and moral values of society.
Luisa Damiao, who spoke at the thanksgiving service in reference to the 106th birthday of prophet Simão Gonçalves Toco, celebrated on February 24, urged the religious congregation to continue supporting the Executive's actions as a social and strategic partner.
He highlighted on the occasion that for several years the Tocoist church has been faithful in pacifying spirits, developing solidarity, education and health actions with a view to building a prosperous society.
“The University of the Tocoista Church Is a proof of its commitment to building a better, educated society”, she said.
On the other hand, she considered that a country's greatest wealth is not mineral resources, such as oil and diamonds, but educated young people who contribute to the Nation's development.
She also highlighted the role played by the church in educating and respecting women who are a fundamental part of the development of society.
“There is no doubt that women are fundamental players in our society, they are powerful in their actions, they are promoters of development and educators par excellence,” she said.
In turn, the secretary of State for the Interior, José Paulino Cunha da Silva, asked for the church's support in the strategy for the pacification of minds and the fight against crime.
The ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kalala Mayiba Constantin, praised the Tocoista church for its achievements in the social domain and in rescuing moral values and pacifying spirits in Angola.
On the occasion, the Bishop of the Tocoista Church Dom Afonso Nunes urged government officials to continue making efforts to create minimum policies aimed at the social and financial stability of the populations.
The Bishop said that only through good policies will the population live in harmony and socio-economic tranquility.
For the spiritual leader, economic stability generates progress that creates social and economic development.
“We’ll all be reborn on this day, a new mentality must emerge, new people must be created in this country”, he stressed.
He appealed for everyone together to be able to preserve the fundamental values that build the Nation, based on the spirit of sharing and love, in order to build a new Angola.
It should be noted that several other messages were addressed by sister churches and invited religious institutions, in addition to foreign figures who recognized the role of the church in its contribution to various areas of the social and economic life of the population and especially in the expansion of teaching and the gospel.
The prophet Simão Toco Gonçalves Toco, was born on February 24, 1918, in the town of Sadi Zulumongo (Ntaya, Maquela do Zombo), northern Uíge Province.
GIZ/MAG/CF/jmc
