Newly Ordained Priests, Deacon in Angola Urged to Stay Close to People in Moments of Difficulty

Bishop Vicente Carlos Kiaziku urged two newly ordained priests and a deacon to remain present to people facing sickness, suffering, and other hardships. During the ordinations at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on September 19, the bishop of the Diocese of Mbanza Congo told Deacons Augusto Baptista and Manuel, and newly ordained Deacon Eduardo Cano, that these difficult situations reveal the depth of Christian brotherhood.

Bishop Kiaziku instructed the men to proclaim the Gospel through their lives and words, approaching their ministry with joy and dedication. He specifically emphasized reaching people unable to attend church due to illness. The bishop noted that accompanying the sick, providing Viaticum, and helping them stay connected to the community are essential ways the Church remains present during suffering. To assist in this work, he suggested using more extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to reach those who cannot attend Mass.