Eighteen Newly Ordained Catholic Priests in Angola Encouraged to Become Instruments of Reconciliation and Hope

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of the Archdiocese of Lubango urged 18 newly ordained priests to serve as instruments of reconciliation and hope for Angola during an ordination ceremony on September 20. The group includes 17 members of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette and one priest from the Archdiocese of Lubango.

During the Eucharistic celebration at the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Mapunda, Archbishop Mbilingi told the priests they must remain close to people facing poverty, suffering, and social difficulties. He stated that their priesthood should not be lived in the clouds but should serve concrete people by acting in the person of Christ.

The Archbishop described the new priests as guardians of hope for a society where vulnerable people face ongoing challenges and many young people struggle to find a secure future. He encouraged them to provide the sacramental presence of Christ to those in need of encouragement and accompaniment.