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He continued, “We all know that the Bishop is a man of faith and from their lived spirituality, they know how to give everyone the right points of reference to follow God's plan and promote human relationships based on mutual respect and love.”

Archbishop Herrera, who also represents the Holy Father in Gabon went on to encourage the Bishop-elect to “always be a Bishop capable of fraternal listening. The Lord asks us to know how to discern, that is to say, he calls us to assume the expectations and hopes of all.”

“Dear Mons. Liluala, always be a Bishop capable of awakening communion. We all know how to live communion by appreciating the gifts and riches of each person, each social group, each ecclesial community,” Archbishop Herrera told the Bishop-elect, who  was appointed January 6.

He called upon members of the Clergy in Pointe-Noire to accompany their Shepherd “in this service so delicate and full of grace.”

“May you always know how to support your Archbishop with the friendship and affection that children have for their fathers. Be close to your Archbishop, offering him the vote of communion and brotherhood,” the Vatican-diplomat said.

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He implored, “May the Church of Pointe-Noire and the whole world shine forth as a place of friendship, reconciliation and authentic communion in the Lord Jesus.”

In his maiden speech as Local Ordinary of Pointe-Noire Archdiocese, Archbishop Liluala who takes over from Archbishop Miguel Ángel Olaverri Arroniz said, “The Church formed by all is above all the work of God himself; it is the specific body of Christ made up of many members united in faith and charity.”

“I extend my hand to all, without exception. Anyone who wants to work for the good of our Archdiocese will have a place and a role to play,” he said, adding that he counts on “each and every one of you, from the smallest to the biggest, so that no one feels excluded under any pretext whatsoever.”  

“I dream of a Clergy that is united, trained and capable of responding to the challenges of our time,” the new Archbishop of Pointe-Noire said.

Born in April 1964 in Cabinda, Angola, a territory neighboring Pointe-Noire, Archbishop Liluala was ordained a Priest in February 1994 for the Archdiocese of Pointe-Noire.

Until his appointment as Archbishop on January 6, he was serving as Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Cathedral of Pointe-Noire Archdiocese and Judicial Vicar of the same Metropolitan See.

The holder of a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Sacred Heart in Rome also served as member of the College of Consultors of Pointe-Noire Archdiocese. 

He will be at the helm of the Metropolitan See that comprises two suffragan Dioceses: Dolisie and Nkayi. 

Elevated from a Diocese to an Archdiocese in May 2020, Pointe-Noire Archdiocese measures 14,644 square kilometers and has an estimated Catholic population of 1,007,440, according to 2021 statistics.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.