Angola’s First Cardinal Dies in Luanda at 99, Eulogized as a “great pastor of the Church”

In February 1977, he was transferred to Angola’s Archdiocese of Lubango, and elevated to Archbishop. He was created Cardinal during the February 1983 Consistory.

He was transferred to the Archdiocese of Luanda in February 1986 and resigned from the pastoral government of the Archdiocese in 2001.

At the celebration of his 99th birth anniversary, the Angolan Cardinal was lauded for exercising much wisdom and richness of life in his ministry.

“May God continue to bless you so that by being in our midst, with this dense and noble cloud of wisdom and so much richness of life, we all learn never to waste a single moment of life and never forget the author of life itself, God,” CEAST President, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, said during the Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral of Malanje Archdiocese on March 3.

The Local Ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Saurimo in Angola highlighted Cardinal do Nascimento's achievements as a “religious leader who worked for the development of the church, Angolan society and the world in general.”

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Archbishop Imbamba said that Cardinal do Nascimento’s humanist performance contributed to the progress, unity, and well-being of Angolans, noting that it was necessary to honor and respect the Cardinal's 99th birthday, 72 of which were dedicated to the Priesthood.

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