At Golden Jubilee of Angola’s Sumbe Diocese, 28 Newly Ordained Priests Urged to Embrace Mission Spirit

According to the Catholic Church leader, obedience, service, and witness of life “are the pillars that sustain authentic ministry. It is not enough to have many Priests; they must be good, upright, and true. We can find many Priests, but good ones are few.”

Bishop Firmino challenged the Priests-elect not to seek prominence but to give themselves humbly. “Your programs and actions must be inspired by the Church and in communion with your Bishop,” he said. 

The 62-year-old Catholic Bishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry in July 2024 following his appointment in May 2023, cautioned against “abandoning communities, disregarding brothers, and ignoring elders in the presbyterate”, describing these as “attitudes contrary to the vocation.” 

“No careerism, my friends. None. Do not abandon the communities. Whoever abandons the community has not understood his Priestly ministry very well,” Bishop Firmino emphasized.

He underscored the importance of prayer, saying, “If the Priest does not pray, he has already lost his vocation; he is even more dangerous than a lion.”

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The Local Ordinary of Sumbe called for fidelity to the breviary, confession, and spiritual discipline, quoting St. Alphonsus Liguori: “He who prays is saved. He who does not pray is already dead.”

Sharing personal memories, Bishop Firmino recalled the counsel his grandfather gave him when he first decided to be the Priestly formation in the Seminary.

“Be a good man; be a good Christian; and if God calls you to the Priesthood, be a good shepherd,” he recalled, describing these qualities as “unshakable pillars for anyone seeking to serve the Church.”

Although 30 ordinations had been planned for the Jubilee, only 28 candidates reached the altar. Bishop Firmino said this was “not a disappointment but a sign of healthy vocational discernment.”

“Perseverance and discernment are part of the journey of faith,” he said, noting that numbers alone do not guarantee the vitality of the Church.