Apostolic Nuncio in Angola Urges Consecrated Persons to Promote Vocations, Renew Hope

The Apostolic Nuncio urged Consecrated Persons to become “pilgrims of hope,” emphasizing that “a person of hope never stops on the path. They continue Christ’s mission and strive to make God more known and loved.”

The native of Poland’s Catholic Diocese of Przemyśl noted that the presence of Nuns, Priests, and Brothers, even when silent and unseen, acts as a healing force and a source of hope.”

He called on religious communities to serve as visible signs of hope, reminding them that through their vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, they reveal the face of selfless love and liberation from materialism.

Meanwhile, Bishop Belmiro Cuica Chissengueti of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Cabinda has urged parents to encourage their children to consider religious life rather than discouraging them.

Speaking at Holy Spirit Parish of his Episcopal during the Mass for the World Day of Consecrated Life, he noted the duty to foster vocations lies with all Christians.

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“All Christians have the obligation to speak about Religious and Consecrated Life to their sons and daughters, awakening in them the call to vocation,” Bishop Chissengueti said February 2.

He lamented that some families discourage vocations with comments like, “She’s so young and beautiful. What a waste for her to dedicate herself to the Church!” or “What a loss! The family won’t receive a dowry that could be used to start a business.”

He criticized parents who prevent their children from pursuing religious life, warning that “when God calls, He is always greater.”

The Angolan-born member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers/CSSp.) urged Christians to recognize that many missionary territories are now suffering from a lack of vocations and need support. 

“No matter how many Religious Men and Women we have—one thousand, ten thousand, fifty thousand—they will never be enough for the Church’s global mission,” he said.

He also reminded the faithful of their responsibility to pray for vocations, warning that religious life requires joy.

“If you are not happy, you cannot be a religious or a consecrated person, because you must have more within yourself to give to others,” the Local Ordinary of Cabinda Diocese since his Episcopal Consecration in September 2018 said.

He lamented that some Consecrated Persons appear “as if they live on a diet of lemons and vinegar, always frowning, always frustrated, pushing people away.”

The Bishop of Cabinda Diocese, who also serves as the Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Youth, University Ministry and Scouting of the Bishops' Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) further said, “If you cannot transmit the joy of the Gospel, choose another life. Do not remain in religious life just to torment and destroy others.”

“If it were not for the sacrifices of those who left everything to announce the faith, we would not be here today,” Bishop Chissengueti said.

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