Archbishop Zeca urges stronger family formation, warning of threats to marriage while calling for deeper pastoral care and moral guidance.
Newsroom (11/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Archbishop Zeferino Zeca Martins of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Huambo has issued a renewed call for strengthened family formation and pastoral accompaniment, underscoring the central role of the family in both Church life and broader societal stability.
Speaking on June 8 during Family Day celebrations at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, located in his Metropolitan See, Archbishop Zeca emphasized that the vitality of the Church is inseparable from the strength of families. Addressing clergy and faithful, he called for intensified catechesis and moral formation at a time he characterized as increasingly challenging for Christian marriage and family life.
“The Church must walk alongside families in difficulty,” said the Angolan prelate, a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), highlighting the necessity of sustained pastoral care. He stressed that “without strong families, there is no Church and no stable society,” framing the issue as both a spiritual and social imperative.
Concerns Over Pressures on Family Life
Archbishop Zeca outlined several developments he believes are placing strain on the traditional Christian understanding of the family. Among them, he cited abortion, marital infidelity, and homosexuality as realities that, in his view, challenge established teachings.
“These realities place God’s plan for the family at risk,” he said, adding that the Church must respond with both doctrinal clarity and consistent pastoral engagement.
On abortion, the Archbishop spoke in strong terms, describing it as a grave threat to human life and dignity. “Abortion is the direct denial of the gift of life granted by God,” he said, noting that it can also endanger the lives of young mothers. Reaffirming Catholic teaching, he emphasized that “life must be protected from conception until natural death,” warning of the broader human, social, and spiritual consequences.
Addressing homosexuality, Archbishop Zeca described it as “a reality that challenges the Christian understanding of the family as God established it.” He reiterated the Church’s position that the family is founded on marriage between a man and a woman and cautioned against what he described as ideologies that may create confusion about the identity and mission of the family.
Fidelity and the Stability of Marriage
A significant portion of the Archbishop’s remarks focused on marital fidelity, which he identified as a cornerstone of family stability. He warned that infidelity continues to undermine trust and unity within marriages.
“Marital infidelity destroys trust, breaks the unity of marriage, and weakens the Christian family,” he said. Describing it as “a wound that directly affects family stability,” Archbishop Zeca urged couples to embrace fidelity, responsibility, and commitment as essential elements of Christian marriage.
At the same time, he highlighted reconciliation and forgiveness as pathways for healing relationships that have experienced breakdown. His message balanced caution with a pastoral call to restore fractured family bonds through faith and mutual understanding.
Call for Greater Pastoral Accompaniment
Archbishop Zeca also directed his appeal to Church leaders, urging them to expand their efforts in supporting families through structured formation and ongoing accompaniment. Drawing on his pastoral experience—beginning with his episcopal ministry as Auxiliary Bishop of Luanda in 2012 and continuing since his appointment to Huambo in December 2018—he emphasized the importance of sustained engagement with families at all stages of life.
He expressed concern over what he described as a growing normalization of sexual irresponsibility and moral relativism. According to the Archbishop, these trends contribute to instability within homes and erode moral values, particularly among younger generations.
“We are living in a society where sexual life is trivialized, where parental responsibility is trivialized, where marital infidelity is promoted, and where the practice of abortion is encouraged,” he said, warning that such patterns weaken Christian families and social cohesion.
Message to Young People
In his address, Archbishop Zeca also turned his attention to young people, urging them to remain vigilant amid what he portrayed as competing influences in contemporary society. He cautioned that without a solid foundation in Christian teaching, youth may be more vulnerable to confusion and harmful choices.
“Be careful with the proposals that the world offers you, especially during your adolescent years,” he said, encouraging young people to remain grounded in faith and moral values.
A Broader Vision for Family Renewal
Archbishop Zeca’s message reflects a broader concern within the Catholic Church about the evolving nature of family life in modern societies. By calling for renewed emphasis on formation, fidelity, and pastoral care, he positioned the family as a foundational institution in need of both protection and support.
His remarks on Family Day serve as both a warning and an invitation—warning of the pressures facing families, while inviting the Church community to respond with renewed commitment, compassion, and clarity in its mission.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACI Africa
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