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Newly Ordained Priest in Angola Urged to Strive for Greatest Grace, “never to give up”

Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi with Fr. Zeferino Bunta Kanima Muliepo during his ordination on 11 February 2024. Credit: Archdiocese of Lubango

By João Vissesse

Lubango, 14 February, 2024 / 4:08 pm (ACI Africa).

The greatest grace from God is that of not giving in to despair and abandoning a pursuit, Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi of Angola’s Lubango Archdiocese has said.

In his homily during the February 11 Priestly ordination of Deacon Zeferino Bunta Kanima Muliepo, Archbishop Mbilingi cautioned the Priest-elect against giving up. 

“It is divine grace to begin well. It is a greater grace to persist on the right path. But the grace of all graces is never to give up,” the Catholic Archbishop said during the event that was held at St. Anthony Hoque Parish of Lubango Archdiocese.

The Angolan-born member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit under the protection of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Holy Ghost Fathers/Spiritans) added, “Dear Zeferino, remain firm in God's mission.”

“The Priest is a man of the Word; he transmits the Word of God to the people of today; he listens to the Word of God and lives it to serve as a model for the faithful,” Archbishop Mbilingi said.

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The Priest “coordinates responsibilities, coordinates charisms and gifts, as we are learning in synodality,” he said, referring to the ongoing Synod on Synodality, which Pope Francis extended to 2024, with the first phase, 4-29 October 2023, having concluded with a 42-page summary report.

The 66-year-old Catholic Church leader, who previously served as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) highlighted additional responsibilities of a Priest. A Priest, he said, “is the animator of the Christian community. He must keep the Christian community united and stimulate it amid challenges.”

He went on to call for unity and collaboration among members of the Clergy, saying, “We need more unity among the clergy, greater participation by all of us in the mission that Christ has entrusted to us.”  

Archbishop Mbilingi called upon senior Priests to “offer these young Priests the grace, beauty, and the joy of our consecration … That when they look at us, they don't get discouraged.”

In his maiden speech as Priest, Fr. Zeferino said, “My being a Priest is understood in God’s mercy”, having taken him from among the people, and that now, with his Priestly ordination, has been given back to the people.

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God, the Angolan Catholic Priest said, “doesn't give me back as he took me, but already configured and transformed, with the sole mission of evangelization.”

“To Him I give eternally grateful, and since he is my Father, I ask him to grant me health, wisdom, holiness, intelligence, understanding, perseverance and diligence in my ministry,” the Angolan newly ordained Catholic Priest added.

João Vissesse

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

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