Newly Ordained Priests in Mozambique and Angola Urged to “build intimacy with Christ”

Benguela, 13 October, 2025 / 5:01 PM

Newly ordained Priests in the Catholic Diocese of Xai Xai in Mozambique and the Diocese of Benguela in Angola have been encouraged to root their ministry in deep communion with Christ, nurturing an intimate relationship with Him through prayer and the Eucharist as the foundation of their pastoral service.

In separate homilies during the recent Priestly Ordinations in the two Southern African countries, the Local Ordinaries urged the Priests-elect to embrace humility and a spirit of service to God’s people.

Addressing Deacon Silva Coverdal Machava and Deacon Sebastião Chaúque during the October 12 Priestly Ordination, Bishop Lucio Andrice Muandula of Xai Xai cautioned against the dangers of activism and the temptation to live a self-centred Priesthood.

“The first calling of a Priest is to be with Christ — to build intimacy with Him in prayer and the Eucharist — so that he may then be sent to proclaim the Good News,” Bishop Muandula said at St. John the Baptist Cathedral of Xai Xai Diocese.

He added, “Your mission begins at the altar but does not end there. To be a Priest is to be the living presence of Jesus in the world — to be a body given and blood poured out for the salvation of many.”

Bishop Muandula warned that a Priest who fails to remain close to Christ risks losing the source of his vocation.

“A Priest can be beside Jesus like Judas Iscariot yet not have his heart united with Him. The true Priest is the one who says ‘yes’ to all of Christ’s plans, even when it requires sacrifice and total surrender,” the Catholic Church leader said.

The Local Ordinary of Mozambique’s Xai Xai Diocese further warned against activism and self-centred ministry, saying, “It is dangerous to undertake the mission without listening, without prayer, and without obedience to the Holy Spirit. Without these, we may be working for God — but outside the will of God.”

He called on the Priests-elect to cultivate obedience and listening in their ministry, and added, “Jesus did not establish the Priesthood so that ministers could decide on their own what to do. The mission does not arise from good ideas or intentions, but from listening to God. Only by listening can we be sent.”

Highlighting the importance of daily prayer, Bishop Muandula said, “It is in prayer — especially Eucharistic prayer — that the Priest learns to listen, to discern, and to obey. Without this time with Jesus, there can be no true mission.”

Meanwhile, in Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Benguela, Bishop António Francisco Jaca cautioned Deacon braão Vasco Ndulo Lweyo, Deacon Domingos Correia Camati, and Deacon Eugénio Uhumwe Wango against reducing the Priestly ministry to a part-time pursuit.

“The Priesthood is not just any job, nor a spiritual weekend. It is a gift, a grace, a mission – a total consecration in the service of God’s people, with joy and dedication,” Bishop Jaca said during the October 11 Ordination event at St. Francis of Assisi Parish of his Episcopal See.

He urged the Priests-elect to cultivate fidelity, pastoral zeal, and a life of prayer, while rejecting clericalism, self-interest, and the pursuit of comfort.

“Do not let die the gift of God that you received through the laying on of hands. Continually renew this gift with zeal and gratitude,” he said.

The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) reminded the Priests-elect that their lives are to be lived for others. “We did not become Priests to take care of our own lives. Our life is a given life – offered for the good of the parish and the people of God,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader warned against the misuse of faith and religious authority, noting that some confuse spiritual leadership with temporal power. He said, “What belongs to the Church must be used rightly. The miracle of God cannot be associated with money—the prophet of God is not a healer who charges for his services.”

Bishop Jaca went on to invite the people of God to support the Priests-elect through prayer and accompaniment, and by expressing gratitude to their families.

“Help these sons to remain faithful to their vocation. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, protect and guide them in their ministry,” Bishop Jaca implored.