“Verify intentions”: Angolan Catholic Bishop Urges Seminary Formators to Assess Motivations to Priesthood

An auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Luanda urged seminary formators to carefully check the motivations of candidates seeking the priesthood.

During a Mass on October 10 to mark the start of the 2026/2027 academic year at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Major Seminary, Bishop António Lungieki Pedro Bengui told those responsible for formation that they must verify the intentions of applicants. Speaking at Holy Family Parish, the bishop said entering a seminary is a decision that requires responsibility, human maturity, and serious vocational discernment.

Bishop Bengui noted that preparing for the priesthood requires candidates to leave their family environments to live in communities with people of various personalities and experiences. He said formators must assess whether candidates possess the emotional and spiritual stability needed to handle the challenges of community life and the specific demands of their intended path.