Be “men of the road, mission and charity”: New Priests and Deacons in Mozambique Told

In brief

Archbishop João Carlos Hatoa Nunes urged newly ordained priests and deacons in Mozambique to serve as men of mission and charity during an ordination ceremony on September 13. The liturgy, held at the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Maputo, included the priestly ordination of four deacons and the diaconate ordination of three seminarians.

During his homily, Archbishop Nunes told the new ministers to stay close to their communities and seek out those who have drifted away from the Church. He stated that the people require pastors rather than just administrators and encouraged the men to embrace the needs of those who are suffering, wounded, tired, or abandoned.

The Archbishop challenged the newly ordained to be available to others and to show solidarity with people facing hardships. He described the necessary qualities of their ministry as being men of the road, the journey, the mission, the Word, and charity.