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

October 3, 2026 · 1 min read

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,…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Თ

თეა აბაშიძე

Kidnapping of children in Zaire province is horrendous, especially when it happens close to the border. Bishop Kiaziku said it well — they are going to hell, not heaven. Here, in Georgia, we must tell families to keep an eye on their children and not leave them unattended.

Константин Смирнов

Yes, it’s scary when children are taken across the border into the Congo. The bishop spoke directly about organs, slavery and prostitution - these are not empty words, families really need to not turn a blind eye. In Nizhny, we also have enough cases when a child goes missing without supervision, then look for him.

Hannah King

It's awful how these kids get snatched right near the border and end up in organ trafficking or worse. Bishop Kiaziku didn't sugarcoat it when he said they go to hell, not paradise. Here in Ottawa we tell our school families the same thing — keep an eye on your kids, don't let them wander alone after class.

Ი

ირაკლი აბაშიძე

Deth, Thea, I totally agree. Children are often left unattended near the borders, especially in villages. The bishop's words remind me well that the family should be vigilant first, not only the police. Do you think schools should teach more about this?

Дмитрий Соловьёв

Yes, Konstantin, the bishop is right - children are definitely not being taken across the border into the Congo on an excursion. We also had this happen a couple of times in Rostov: a guy from a neighboring house went to the river without asking, then the whole street was looking for him. Families really need to be more careful, especially now that everyone is on their phones. What are the most common cases in Nizhny?

Любовь Комарова

Yes, it’s scary when children are taken across the border into the Congo, as Bishop Kyazik said. It also happened to us in Samara that a child wandered into the yard unattended, and then we spent half a day looking for it. Families really need to keep their eyes open and not just rely on the police.

თეა ლომიძე

Child abduction at the border is really scary, Thea, especially when the families think "this kind of thing doesn't happen to us". I liked the bishop's phrase "they go to hell" very simply and directly. In your home, how do you teach your child to talk about it without scaring him?

Katherine Johnson

That's a sobering connection you make about school families in Ottawa. The bishop was right to name the border risks so plainly; around here we've started a simple parish reminder sheet for parents about safe routes home from catechism. Do you have any particular tips that seem to stick with the families there?

Ქ

ქეთევან კვარაცხელია

I just tell the kids in my house not to trust all strangers and if something strange happens to them, to tell me right away - without being scared. I also liked the bishop's words, they are direct and remain in my mind. Thea, what do you think, should such risks be taught in school?

Ა

ანა აბაშიძე

Ketevan, you will explain the children correctly about strangers. I tell my children the same thing, especially now that we live near the border. They should really be taught at school, but it stays more in the family.