Second Catholic Bishop of Mbanza Congo Diocese in Angola Remembered as “a tireless shepherd, close to needy communities”

Bishop Kiaziku further noted that simplicity of life and material detachment characterized the entire ministry of Bishop Shyngo-Ya-Hombo, who was “not only a Capuchin Bishop, but a Bishop who was truly Capuchin.”

“Bishop Shyngo-Ya-Hombo knew how to integrate the Franciscan charism into his Episcopal ministry, making humility, simplicity, and service to the poorest people the distinctive mark of his pastoral action,” the Catholic Church leader said.

He noted that “even after retirement, prompted by the worsening of his health, he remained available for the formation of young religious and for spiritual direction, demonstrating continued fidelity to the motto of his Episcopate.”

The 68-year-old Catholic Bishop said that Bishop Shyngo-Ya-Hombo exemplified how the mission to “proclaim to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” should guide every pastoral decision and every act of service to the people of God. 

“He showed that a bishop can be a shepherd, evangelizer, and man of prayer, without ever distancing himself from his responsibilities,” Bishop Kiaziku added.

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He recalled that “Bishop Shyngo-Ya-Hombo devoted himself to human, Christian, and Franciscan formation, to the ministry of reconciliation, and to spiritual guidance at the Church of Our Lady of Fatima in Luanda, demonstrating that his mission did not cease with retirement, remaining active in the life of the Church.”

Born in Quibala in February 1945, the late Catholic Bishop took his vows as OFM Cap in October 1965; he was ordained a Priest in August 1971.

Since his Priestly Ordination, he served in several capacities, including Parish Priest, formator, Novice Master, and director of young professed OFM Cap. members, counsellor, and first Vice Provincial Superior in Angola. 

In March 1990, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Luanda Catholic Archdiocese, and consecrated Bishop later in June.  

In 1992, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Mbanza Kongo, where he exercised his pastoral ministry until he resigned in 2008 due to poor health.

In a eulogy read during the funeral Mass, members of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) said Bishop Shyngo-Ya-Hombo was “a dedicated pastor committed to evangelization, who served the Church with simplicity, detachment, and fidelity.”

They lauded the late Bishop’s commitment to prayer and spiritual life, considered inspiring for the faithful, Priests, and women and men Religious.

In a message sent to the Diocese of Mbanza-Congo, Pope Leo XIV gave thanks to God for “the gift of the life and ministry of this beloved Bishop,” recalling that he guided the local Church “in times that were not easy.” 

The message, signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Cardinal Parolin, expressed the Pope’s spiritual closeness to the Clergy, religious, faithful, and to the family—both biological and religious—of the late Bishop.

The Presidency of the Republic of Angola also recognized the socio-pastoral contribution of the late Bishop, describing him as “a man of prayer and service” and one of the pioneering Angolan Capuchin Priests whose ministry contributed significantly to the growth of the Diocese of Mbanza-Congo and to the formation of new priests and local vocations.

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João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.