Shun Partisan Politics, Be “light” amid Crisis: Spiritan Bishop in Angola to Confreres at Priestly Ordination

Cabinda, 14 July, 2025 / 4:40 PM

Bishop Belmiro Cuica Chissengueti of the Catholic Diocese of Cabinda in Angola has urged two members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (CSSp./Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans) he ordained Priests to shun partisan politics.

In his homily during the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Alberto Duete and Deacon Joaquim Mavungo Lelo, Bishop Chissengueti called upon his confreres to be “light” amid crisis in fulfilling their prophetic mission of proclaiming truth.

“The Priest has no political commitment to any party, is not a member of any cell or action committee of any political party,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop said during the July 12 Eucharistic celebration that was held at Our Lady Queen of the World Cathedral of Cabinda Diocese.

He exhorted the Priests-elect “not be afraid to proclaim the truth, to help others fulfill their mission well, especially to establish priorities that serve the common good, to enlighten even politicians so they can do their jobs properly, and above all, to help them understand that they are not our masters—they are merely our servants.”

The Angolan Spiritan Bishop warned against the temptation to remain silent in the face of injustice and poor governance, saying, “We must have the courage to correct the errors that have caused our suffering over the years. When we have all it takes to be among the best in the world, we instead choose the path of beggary and mediocrity.”

Turning his attention to mismanagement of public resources and the failure to complete essential infrastructure projects, Bishop Chissengueti said, “It makes no sense to have potholed roads in a city while planning to build an airport; to announce roads in Yema or Alto Sundi while planning others—when we can’t even complete the road in front of Mangue Seco, which has been open for years. There’s no point opening more roads if you can’t finish the ones already started.”

He “Even in surgery, you cannot open several stomachs at once without risking not having time to close them. Priorities must be set—open, close, and conclude—so we can have a country that works and is good for all.”

The Catholic Church leader further urged accountability in public works, saying, “Those who travel abroad should learn from other countries. National or foreign companies doing public projects must be monitored. If a road layer is only one millimeter thick, the first truck will destroy it, and the rains will carry it away.”

Amid these challenges, Bishop Chissengueti called on the Priests-elect to be light amid darkness.

He said, “You must enlighten the path of others, especially leaders, so they realize they are stewards, not owners.”

“The country belongs to all of us, and we must have the courage to correct the mistakes, especially those that have caused our suffering over all these years. When we have everything we need to be among the best in the world, we instead choose the path of beggary and mediocrity,” the Catholic Bishop said.

 “We cannot keep failing—it is time to convert and take the next step,” Bishop Chissengueti said.