Luanda — The bishop of the United Methodist Church, Gaspar João Domingos, defended in Luanda the need for religious institutions to build ramps to ease the access of disabled people to churches.

In an interview to ANGOP meant to analyse the conditions of the access of disabled persons to churches, the Methodist entity stated that various religious institutions built in the colonial era have no ramps, but recognised that now this is an aspect to be taken into consideration for the inclusion of the handicapped.

On the other hand, Gaspar João Domingos added that religious leaders should pay attention to the access of the disabled in the entrance of temples, which they might build and rehabilitate.

According to him, the society needs have the culture of including ramps in future construction projects, not only in religious facilities, but also in public and private institutions for the circulation of handicapped persons, since the country has a large number of people in these conditions.

He affirmed that future religious institutions of the Methodist Church will always have ramps, having stressed that this is already visible in the Icolo e Bengo church, which was inaugurated this year.

Bishop Gaspar Domingos added that access for disabled people was also taken into account whilst building the Methodist University of Angola.

The Methodist leader is of the opinion that churches should adopt a new philosophy and culture, by using technologies for a greater adherence of people with visual and listening deficiencies in religious ceremonies.