“We should not seek signs of prosperity”: Apostolic Nuncio in Angola to Women and Men Religious in Southern Africa

Luanda, 04 February, 2026 / 4:41 PM

The representative of the Holy Father in Angola has called upon members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life (ICLSAL) in Southern Africa to reject false interpretations of prosperity.

In his homily during the Closing Mass of the Second Plenary Assembly of the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of Southern Africa (RCMSSA), Archbishop Kryspin Witold Dubiel emphasized that true Christian hope must be firmly rooted in God, not in human schemes and ambitions.

“Consecrated Life cannot be reduced to the pursuit of material comfort, but must be a concrete expression of the Cross of Christ amid present difficulties and pastoral demands,” Archbishop Dubiel said during the February 1 Eucharistic celebration at Mama Muxima Spirituality Center of Menongue Catholic Diocese.

He emphasized, “We should not seek signs of prosperity according to the world, but bear witness to the joy of total self-giving to God.”

The Apostolic Nuncio emphasized that ICLSAL members are called to be “living signs of the Beatitudes in today’s world.”

The native of Poland’s Catholic Diocese of Przemyśl noted that “Consecrated Persons are called to be leaven of hope and fraternity,” recalling that “the Gospel calls us to humility, self-giving, and solidarity with the poor and the marginalized.” 

“Our life must be a visible sign of God’s love in all dimensions of society,” he said.

Reflecting on the 2026 World Day of Consecrated Life marked on February 2, Archbishop Dubiel exhorted ICLSAL members  to live Consecrated Life as “a witness of fraternity, service, and hope that illuminates the life of the Church and society.”

“There is an urgent need for a Consecrated Life that accompanies communities, promoting justice, unity, and the proclamation of the Gospel amid the social challenges faced in Southern Africa,” he said.

The Vatican diplomat added that “the Consecrated vocation is a gift to the Church, called to respond to the deepest needs of humanity through love and self-giving.”

“Consecrated Persons are not called only to live personal spirituality, but also to be a transforming presence in the world, especially among the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable,” the Apostolic Nuncio in Angola said.

He noted that “Consecrated Life should inspire solidarity, care for others, and the building of peace in the communities where they serve.”

The Apostolic Nuncio recalled that ICLSAL members are sent as “living signs of God’s love within communities,” encouraging them to take an active part in works of justice, solidarity, and the promotion of human dignity.

“The mission of Consecrated Life includes looking after those who suffer, defending them, and sharing with them the hope that comes from the Gospel,” he said.

Archbishop Dubiel encouraged ICLSAL members and the Laity, saying, “I encourage collaboration among Consecrated Persons, the laity, and the entire ecclesial community as a way of strengthening the Church’s presence and witness in the contemporary world.”