How did the MPLA government treat religious organizations after 1975?

When the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) came to power in 1975, it established a Marxist-Leninist state and adopted an antireligious policy. The government denounced various religious organizations, specifically targeting Roman Catholics for their perceived collaboration with the colonial state, and Baptists and Congregationalists for their leadership roles in rival movements like UNITA and the FNLA.1

During this period, the state seized control of religious institutions, hospitals, and newspapers, though these entities were sometimes still operated by the religious organizations themselves. The Methodist Church was a notable exception, receiving more favorable treatment because many MPLA leaders were drawn from its ranks.1

Following the formal abandonment of Marxism and a shift toward national reconciliation, the government adopted a more tolerant stance. Today, formal religious organizations are permitted to operate openly, although they still face some restraints due to lingering official distrust.1