At Ordination in Guinea-Bissau, Catholic Bishop Urges Priests-elect to “never forget” God’s Calling as “always a gift”

Bissau, 04 June, 2025 / 9:57 PM

The call to be at God’s service in the Priestly ministry is to be “always” understood as a gift from Him, Bishop José Lampra Cá of the Catholic Diocese of Bissau in Guinea-Bissau has said. 

Bishop Lampra Cá, who was addressing himself to three Priests-elect in his May 31 homily urged them to seek the will of God and live by it. 

“God has called you to share in His mission, making you instruments of His will. Never forget: the vocation is always a gift, never a merit,” he told Deacon Abeuca António Ano Mendes, Deacon Mário Infanda, and Deacon Matias S. Manga.

The Bissau-Guinean Catholic Bishop emphasized the need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, saying, “You are consecrated to be prophetic voices, to denounce inequality, defend human dignity, and bring light where there is darkness. Like Christ, you must heal both physical and spiritual wounds.”

The Priesthood is not merely about religious and liturgical celebrations, he said, and went on to describe Priesthood as “a sacred mission” requiring total dedication and commitment to the Church and society.

Bishop Lampra Cá urged the three Priests-elect to embrace their new identity as Priests with humility, sacrifice, and faithful service. 

Reflecting on the transformative nature of Priestly Ordination, Bishop Lampra Cá explained that ordination is more than a liturgical rite, “it is a spiritual and existential transformation.”

“The Ordination involves body, spirit, and soul. It is a powerful act through which the Holy Spirit strengthens your vocation and equips you for the mission,” he said during the May 31 Priestly Ordination celebration at St. Francis of Assisi Parish of his Episcopal See.

The Local Ordinary of Bissau since January 2022 called upon three Priests-elect to be agents of healing, justice, and hope in a world plagued by injustice, individualism, and corruption.

“The Priesthood is a true mission, not just a function. It is an extension of Christ’s mission and demands unconditional dedication to the Church and to the people of God. A Priest is called to serve, not to be served,” he said.

Bishop Lampra Cá went on to emphasize that the call to the Priesthood is not a personal career path but a divine vocation. He said, “The Priest does not live for himself but for others, as Christ lived. Your mission is to reach out to the suffering, the marginalized, and the forgotten, bringing them the Good News of the Gospel.”

In his homily, Bishop Lampra Cá also reflected on the four key dimensions of the Priestly mission as outlined in Luke 4:18-19: proclaiming the Gospel to the poor, healing the sick, setting captives free, and restoring sight to the blind. 

He noted that these acts must be rooted in the Priest’s closeness to the most vulnerable members of society. “You are called to be with the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. Being present among those who most need God’s love is the foundation of priestly ministry,” the Catholic Church leader said.

He added, “You are called to be living witnesses of the Gospel, instruments of God to proclaim salvation, heal the wounded, and free the oppressed.”

Bishop Lampra Cá cautioned against the dangers of clericalism and spiritual pride, reminding the Priests-elect that the Priesthood is a humble and self-giving ministry. 

“As Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, the priest is called to be a servant of the people. This mission requires sacrifice, devotion, and constant surrender,” he said.

He further urged the Priests-elect to live as “authentic models of Christian life, sustained by prayer and centered on the Eucharist.”

“Prayer is the foundation of your Priesthood. The Eucharist must be the heart of your life,” he emphasized.

Making reference to Pope Francis, Bishop Lampra Cá reminded the Priests-elect that a Priest must be “a shepherd with the smell of the sheep,” close to the people and attentive to their wounds.