Luanda: The Church of Jesus Christ on Earth "Kimbanguista" inaugurated a new temple in the Fubu neighborhood of Talatona, Luanda, with a capacity to accommodate over 20,000 faithful.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the construction of the temple began on February 12, 2024, to honor the 110th birthday of Simon Kimbangu's first son, Kisolokele Lukelo Charles. The structure, measuring 110 meters long and 50 meters wide, was funded by the Kimbanguist Church, founded by the prophet Simon Kimbangu on April 6, 1921, in Mkamba, present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. The inauguration ceremony was led by the Minister of Culture, Filipe Zau, who highlighted the alignment of Kimbanguist traditions with the country's values, such as human dignity, solidarity, reconciliation, and sustainable development.
During the ceremony, the spiritual leader of the Kimbanguist Church, Kissolokele Paul, acknowledged the dedication of the faithful in the temple's construction. Minister Filipe Zau urged the church to support youth by combining spiritual formation with civic education and professional skills. He also emphasized the importance of promoting equality and inclusion, encouraging the participation of both women and men in community responsibilities, and caring for the environment to ensure cleanliness and harmony.
Governor of Luanda, Lus Nunes, highlighted the church's significant role as a source of collective well-being and peace, contributing to social cohesion. He stressed the urgency of investing in human development and recognized the Kimbanguist community's contribution to the inclusive and balanced development of Luanda. Nunes praised the church's example of moral discipline and solidarity, which fosters a unifying spirituality.
Valdemir Agostinho, the general secretary of the Council of Christian Churches in Angola (CICA), described the temple as a refuge for the weary and a beacon of peace. He acknowledged the institution's key role in evangelizing the people throughout Angola's five decades of independence. The event saw attendance from government officials, members of the National Assembly, and leaders of Christian churches in Angola.
