A Catholic priest survived an attempted murder after a knife-wielding attacker confronted him inside his parish office in Luanda, Angola, on February 28. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Pastoral Centre within Immaculate Heart of Mary Morro Bento Parish in the Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda. ACI Africa reported that the target was Fr. Inácio Kahamba, 51, a member of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also known as the Claretians.
The suspect allegedly entered the office shortly after morning Mass with his face partly covered. Witnesses said the man refused to identify himself when the priest asked and later produced a knife, declaring his intention to kill him. The priest struggled with the assailant inside the room while trying to restrain him and prevent him from using the weapon.
Fr. Kahamba told ACI Africa that he eventually pushed the intruder outside the office, where parishioners quickly intervened, subdued the suspect, and handed him over to the police. Social media users later identified the man as 27-year-old Alcides Piluka, a former altar server who reportedly worked with a Catholic mission.
Despite the incident, the priest continued his pastoral duties and celebrated another Mass the same day. According to ACI Africa, Fr. Kahamba later expressed gratitude for surviving the incident and called for stronger cooperation among families, communities and authorities to promote respect for life and prevent violence.