On Death Anniversary, Angola’s First Cardinal Remembered as “contemplative, silent man”

Luanda, 01 October, 2025 / 8:46 PM

Late Alexandre Cardinal do Nascimento, Angola’s first Cardinal, who passed on 28 September 2024 has been remembered as “a contemplative, silent man” whose life continues to inspire the people of God in the Southern African nation. 

In his homily during the late Cardinal’s first death anniversary, Bishop António Francisco Jaca of the Catholic Diocese of Benguela in Angola recalled the important role Cardinal do Nascimento played in his own Priestly and Episcopal ministry. 

“I often remember him in silent prayer, in the chapel of the Archdiocese, or sitting at the door of his room, savoring the surrounding silence with his gaze fixed on the infinite horizon,” Bishop Jaca said during the Tuesday, September 30 Eucharistic celebration that was held at Our Lady of the Conception Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Luanda.

The Angolan Catholic Bishop said the late Cardinal do Nascimento was “a contemplative, silent man, deeply rooted in the Word of God.”

“He was a man of few words, but a fervent lover of the Word,” Bishop Jaca recalled. 

The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) further said the late Cardinal was “a master of listening and wisdom, someone who remained steadfast in faith until the end of his life.” 

Bishop Jaca said that the Cardinal’s life “was a living lesson of fidelity to the Word of God, constant meditation on the Scriptures, and commitment to the truth of the Gospel.”

“I am a direct beneficiary of his actions. I assisted him as a Deacon at the ordination of Canon Anteiro, who in turn was the assisting Deacon at my Priestly Ordination. At my Episcopal Ordination, he was one of the Consecrators. I owe much of my ministerial history to him,” Bishop Jaca shared. 

The Angolan Catholic Bishop also noted that the late Archbishop Emeritus of Luanda cultivated virtues that marked his ecclesial mission: serenity, firmness, and a spirit of reconciliation.

“He was always attentive, asked about my parents with care, and never imposed himself with force. Even when misunderstood, he never wavered. He never hesitated. He was a man of peace, prudence, and charity,” he shared.

Bishop Jaca also eulogized the late Cardinal as “a true patriot, a Malanje native without pretense, a builder of unity and reconciliation.” 

“We, the people of Malanje, love our land and are proud of it. Today, in remembering His Eminence, I also recall Bishop Emeritus of Benguela, Bishop Oscar Lino Lopes Fernandes Braga, who would have turned 92 today,” he said.

The Catholic Church leader noted that the late Cardinal’s courage came not from confrontation, but from prayer. 

“He was a distinguished and reserved man, as he liked to say. He did not allow himself to be manipulated nor succumb to political or social pressures. He was courageous because he trusted in God. He was free because he was not a slave to convenience,” he said.

Bishop Jaca also highlighted the late Cardinal’s Marian devotion, saying, “He frequently turned to her, especially to Our Lady of the Conception of Muxima, to whom he was a fervent devotee. He prayed the rosary, meditated, and walked with Mary. He was a contemplative, like Saint Dominic and Saint Jerome, whose memory we celebrate today.”

“The life of the Cardinal is a true spiritual testament. We can place the entire Epistle to Timothy in the mouth of our Cardinal as a heritage for the new generation of Priests: the man of God must be perfect and well-prepared for every good work,” Bishop Jaca said.

He implored, “It is good for us to remember illustrious men. May the life and example of our Cardinal do Nascimento continue to inspire us. May he intercede for us from heaven and obtain from the Blessed Virgin all the graces we need to persevere in the fight for faith until the end of our lives.”

Born in Angola’s Province of Malanje on 1 March 1925, late Cardinal do Nascimento was ordained a Priest in December 1952. 

After serving as Local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Malanje since his Episcopal Consecration in August 1975, he was transferred to Angola’s Archdiocese of Lubango in February 1977, and elevated to Archbishop. He was created Cardinal during the February 1983 Consistory.

In February 1986, the late Angolan Cardinal was transferred to the Archdiocese of Luanda, where he served till his retirement in January 2001 at the canonical age of 75.