The Catholic Church in Angola is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.
Catholicism was introduced to Angola by the Portuguese in 1491 when the first missionaries arrived.
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. The Colonial Act of 1930 advanced the view that Portuguese Catholic missions to the country were "instruments of civilization and national influence".
Demographics
The last census in 2014 noted that 56.4% of the population were Roman Catholic.
As of 2020, approximately 53.85% of the population professed the Catholic faith, due largely to Angola's status as a former Portuguese colony.
Internal structure
The Catholic Church has 19 dioceses in Angola, including 5 archdioceses. All the bishops are members of the regional Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé.
Archdiocese of Huambo
Diocese of Benguela
Diocese of Kwito-Bié
Archdiocese of Luanda
Diocese of Cabinda
Diocese of Caxito
Diocese of Mbanza Congo
Diocese of Sumbe
Diocese of Viana
Archdiocese of Lubango
Diocese of Menongue
Diocese of Ondjiva
Diocese of Namibe
Archdiocese of Malanje
Diocese of Ndalatando
Diocese of Uíje
Archdiocese of Saurímo
Diocese of Dundo
Diocese of Lwena
Influence
The Catholic University of Angola opened in 1998.
In 2020, the Vatican noted that there are over 1200 priests and 2200 nuns in Angola, serving 469 parishes and 44 Catholic hospitals.
The Catholic radio station Ecclesia is broadcast in 16 of Angola's 18
provinces. Vatican Radio and Maria Radio also operate in the country.