“Watch out for jealousy, envy”: Catholic Archbishop in Angola to Scout Coordinators

He explained, “Envy could still be more or less acceptable because, deep down, envy is appreciating that something is good, and I also want it for myself. But jealousy is not; the jealous person wants to make the competitor disappear because jealousy is selfishness.”

The 66-year-old Catholic Church leader, who previously served as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) appealed to Scouts officials to serve with love and humility.

“There are many young people in the Church who still don't identify with the charism of the existing movements,” he noted, adding, “The scout leader must know how to lead his brothers at all times.”

The Local Ordinary of Lubango since September 2009 called upon Scouts leaders to “know how to evangelize with deeds, to practice what you say to others.”

The success of the scouting mission requires unity among the members, he said, and added, “If those who carry out the mission are not united, their work will go down the drain.” 

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“There is a greater need for better accompaniment of assistants to improve the quality of leaders in the groups. Scouts should continue to cultivate unity and solidarity because everyone is important in the mission,” he said.

Archbishop Mbilingi thanked the Catholic scouts in the Archdiocese of Lubango for the work they do as Church members, “a mission of such importance which aims to train young people to do good things in our Church.”

“Thank you for your work in the church, particularly in the Archdiocese of Lubango, and in this mission of proclaiming the Gospel. I am counting on you,” the Angolan Catholic Archbishop, who started his Episcopal Ministry as Coadjutor Bishop of Lwena Diocese said.

João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.