Ten Ordained Deacons amid Calls for More Missionaries for New Pastoral Areas in Angola

Bishop Pio Hipunyati ordained ten new deacons for the Diocese of Ondjiva in Angola on October 17. During the ordination ceremony, the bishop stated that the ten new deacons are not enough to meet the evangelization needs of the diocese.

Bishop Hipunyati identified Tchissuata, Chiede, and Cafima as specific communities that currently lack a permanent missionary presence. He noted that these areas are part of new municipalities where the Church needs more people to provide pastoral accompaniment.

The bishop urged the new deacons to serve with humility and to focus their ministry on the needs of others. He also called on families and young people to help foster more vocations to the priesthood and religious life to address the shortage of missionaries.