Pastoral Agents in Angola Urged Not to Let Material Wealth to Overshadow their Identity as Missionary Disciples

Kwito-Bié, 08 February, 2025 / 10:30 PM

Bishop Vicente Sanombo of Angola’s Catholic Diocese of Kwito-Bié has called on pastoral agents to remain faithful to their mission as missionary disciples and not allow the pursuit of material wealth to overshadow their Christian identity.

Speaking at the conclusion of the February 3-4 19th Diocesan Pastoral Assembly, Bishop Sanombo emphasized the importance of living out the Gospel authentically.

“All the faithful—Priests, Women and Men Religious—must strive to make their lives a true living of the Gospel so that the concern for material wealth does not overshadow their identity as missionary disciples,” the Angolan Catholic Bishop told the over 150 delegates who were drawn from parishes, missions, and worship centers in his Episcopal See.

He urged liturgical, evangelization, and catechetical commissions in the Diocese to organize prayer and formation sessions for pastoral agents in the diocese as part of the first year of the triennial plan.

One of the Assembly’s key discussion points was the economic self-sufficiency of the Church. The delegates recommended that the Diocesan Economic Council and the Project Commission review past resolutions and propose viable projects within three months to ensure financial sustainability.

Bishop Sanombo proposed the creation of a special commission to provide training in pastoral, financial, and economic administration for Parish Priests, vicars, and treasurers of the Diocese.

“It is necessary to establish an economic council in every parish and mission where none exists. At the diocesan curia level, we must also implement budgeting and regular financial accountability to ensure fair, transparent, and organized management,” he said.

Bishop Sanombo emphasized that the real challenge for the Diocese is implementing the Assembly’s recommendations, urging pastoral agents to commit fully to their mission.

“If we do not put into practice what we have defined and decided, this meeting will have been of no use to us,” he cautioned.

Bishop Sanombo continued, “Faith requires full commitment. It is either Christ or the world, holiness or mediocrity, a renewed life or a life of ease. We must choose to be children of the light and not let distractions take us away from our mission.”

He encouraged pastoral agents “to find real and effective ways to implement the recommendations from this meeting. Otherwise, we will have wasted our time, brothers and sisters.