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,…