Cardinal in Angola who Died in Italy, Eulogized as a “pastor who left an indelible mark on the Church”

According to the Archbishop, the Cardinal was a theologian who always “affirmed the centrality of Christ in the life of every person, in society, in culture, and in all those who, in one way or another, contribute to the transformation of society.”

Archbishop Imbamba lamented that with the Cardinal’s death, the Church is Angola has been left with very few elders who have been a source of inspiration to the people.

“It is a wave of deaths of our elders, and it is leaving us without those elders who, from time to time, pull our ears, guide us, and inspire us. But our faith will keep us firm, as we continue to follow in their footsteps with obedience and fidelity to Jesus Christ, always available to serve our brothers for salvation,” the Archbishop said.

Cardinal Dal Corso is to be buried on Thursday, October 24, in Verona, Italy.

Archbishop Imbamba said that back at home in Angola, the Church will organize a celebration at the time of the funeral in Italy. 

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He said that through the celebration of the life of Cardinal Dal Corso, the Church in Angola will unite “with the brothers in Italy who will be mourning our brother’s soul.”

“It won’t be possible for all of us to be there, but we will have a national celebration to pay homage to this brother of ours,” Archbishop Imbamba said.

Born in May 1939 in Grezzana, Italy, Cardinal Dal Corso was ordained a Priest in July 1963 and joined the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence (P.S.D.P).

He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Saurimo in December 1995 and succeeded the Local Ordinary of Saurimo, Pedro Marcos Ribeiro da Costa in March 1996. He was later transferred to the Catholic Diocese of Benguela in February 2008 where he retired in March 20219. The Bishop Emeritus of Benguela was named Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019.

In the October 21 statement, Archbishop Imbamba says the late Cardinal left a mark as someone deeply focused on rural pastoral work, dedicated to social causes, and concerned about poverty and illiteracy in the diocese, establishing many projects that bore fruit in our midst.

“In Benguela, he continued with the same apostolic zeal, and at the level of our conference, he was always a person of note,” Archbishop Imbamba says. 

He says Cardinal Dal Corso wanted to dedicate his last years to working for the causes of the poorest, identifying Caiundo as the area where he wanted to live and work. 

Owing to his poor helath, however, the Cardinal is said to have gone to Italy, where he received care.

Archbishop Imbamba said the Church in Angola will continue to hold onto “what was most noble, beautiful, and dignified about him to inspire us and serve our brothers and sisters.”

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