At Golden Jubilee of Angola’s Sumbe Diocese, 28 Newly Ordained Priests Urged to Embrace Mission Spirit

Sumbe, 12 August, 2025 / 3:41 PM

Bishop Firmino David of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Sumbe has urged the 28 Deacons he ordained Priests to embrace the mission, striving to live a life of service, prayer, and communion with the people of God.

In his homily during the closing Mass of the Golden Jubilee of Sumbe Diocese and the Priestly Ordination of the 28 Deacons celebrated at the courtyard of Our Lady of the Conception Cathedral, Bishop Firmino cautioned against perceiving Priesthood as promotion of status.

“The Priesthood is not a social promotion. It should not be seen as an elevation in social status but as a selfless and permanent service,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop said, adding, “The Priest must be rooted in communion with his Bishop and deeply integrated into the community where he is sent to serve.” 

For the Local Ordinary of Sumbe, “Being a Priest without a community is to be headless—it is to be vague.” 

He underscored the need for “a fruitful pastoral life, which can only flourish in a spirit of belonging and dedication to the people of God.”

According to the Catholic Church leader, obedience, service, and witness of life “are the pillars that sustain authentic ministry. It is not enough to have many Priests; they must be good, upright, and true. We can find many Priests, but good ones are few.”

Bishop Firmino challenged the Priests-elect not to seek prominence but to give themselves humbly. “Your programs and actions must be inspired by the Church and in communion with your Bishop,” he said. 

The 62-year-old Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in July 2024 following his appointment in May 2023, cautioned against “abandoning communities, disregarding brothers, and ignoring elders in the presbyterate”, describing these as “attitudes contrary to the vocation.” 

“No careerism, my friends. None. Do not abandon the communities. Whoever abandons the community has not understood his Priestly ministry very well,” Bishop Firmino emphasized.

He underscored the importance of prayer, saying, “If the Priest does not pray, he has already lost his vocation; he is even more dangerous than a lion.”

The Local Ordinary of Sumbe called for fidelity to the breviary, confession, and spiritual discipline, quoting St. Alphonsus Liguori: “He who prays is saved. He who does not pray is already dead.”

Sharing personal memories, Bishop Firmino recalled the counsel his grandfather gave him when he first decided to be the Priestly formation in the Seminary.

“Be a good man; be a good Christian; and if God calls you to the Priesthood, be a good shepherd,” he recalled, describing these qualities as “unshakable pillars for anyone seeking to serve the Church.”

Although 30 ordinations had been planned for the Jubilee, only 28 candidates reached the altar. Bishop Firmino said this was “not a disappointment but a sign of healthy vocational discernment.”

“Perseverance and discernment are part of the journey of faith,” he said, noting that numbers alone do not guarantee the vitality of the Church.