Look at this church alone and one would be forgiven for thinking it is in Portugal. Zoom out, however, and it becomes apparent that this is Africa. More specifically, it is Angola, a former Portuguese colony and one of Africa’s most Catholic countries. As such, this Marian shrine holds special importance to many in this country, and it is considered the most important one in Sub-Saharan Africa. Like many colonial settlements, Muxima (meaning “heart” in Kimbundu) has an unfortunately dark past. A church was first founded here in 1599 along…
