Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba leads Fátima pilgrimage

Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, President of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé, presided over the International Anniversary Pilgrimage at the Sanctuary of Fátima in Portugal on September 12 and 13.

During the event, which commemorates the 1917 apparitions of Our Lady of Fátima, Imbamba called for global reconciliation to combat rising nationalism, war, and division. He emphasized that forgiveness is a conscious decision rather than a mere emotion, stating, “Forgiving is not pretending, amnesia, or erasing the truth, but a decision that prevents pain from continuing to control one’s life.”

Imbamba also addressed the importance of resolving conflicts within families, warning that unresolved resentment can destroy relationships. He urged pilgrims to use forgiveness as a tool to break cycles of hatred and transform their present and future.