Santiago, 03 February, 2026 / 2:59 pm (ACI Africa).
The Bishop of Cape Verde’s Catholic Diocese of Santiago has urged a newly ordained Deacon to ground his ministry in humble and faithful service by remaining close to people’s daily realities and responding attentively to their “concrete needs”.
In his homily during the Diaconate Ordination of Seminarian Emanuel da Costa, Arlindo Cardinal Gomes Furtado urged him to embrace service, humility, and availability as defining marks of the Diaconate, stressing that the Church needs ministers who are truly committed to the good of the people of God.
“The Diaconal Ministry has its own identity. The Deacon is, par excellence, the community's servant. This service must be visible in closeness to people and in attention to the concrete needs of the people,” Cardinal Furtado said during the February 1 Eucharistic celebration that was held at St. Amaro Abade Parish of Santiago Diocese.
Enumerating the specific responsibilities of the Diaconate Ministry, he recalled that the Deacon is called to proclaim the Word, serve at the altar, and exercise charity.
The Catholic Church leader added that it also falls to the Deacon to “distribute the Eucharist, celebrate Baptism, assist at Marriage, preside at funerals, bring Viaticum, and visit the sick.”
