At Episcopal Anniversary, Angolan Spiritan Archbishop Urged “to be a constant instrument of unity”

The Angolan member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) encouraged his counterpart, the Angolan member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans/Holy Ghost Fathers/CSSp.) to “prepare the ground for the future.”

“Let your missionary and pastoral work lay a solid foundation for the Church to flourish in Angola and beyond,” Archbishop Zeca told Archbishop Mbilingi. 

He went on to call for humility, saying, “Be an example of humble service, rooted in the spirit of humility and service taught by Christ. May acts of love and proximity to the poor and vulnerable remain central to your pastoral mission.”

Archbishop Zeca encouraged perseverance in prayer. He said, “The strength of your ministry comes from intimacy with God. Remain steadfast in prayer and contemplation, trusting in the guidance of the Good Shepherd.”

The SVD Archbishop also emphasized the need to nurture vocations to Priestly and Religious Life, saying, “The future of the Church depends on new generations of Consecrated men and women. We encourage you to continue supporting vocations, ensuring communities grow in faith, hope, and love.”

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“The immense joy we feel in celebrating this silver jubilee of our brother and Archbishop Gabriel Mbilingi on the Feast of the Epiphany should inspire us to see beyond the limitations of this world,” Archbishop Zeca during the January 5 celebration. 

Ordained a Priest in February 1984, Archbishop Mbilingi was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Angola’s Diocese of Lwena in October 1999.

Following the resignation of Bishop José Próspero da Ascensão Puaty at the age of 72, the Spiritan Archbishop took over as Local Ordinary of Lwena Diocese.

He was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Lubango in December 2006 and succeeded Archbishop Zacarias Kamwenho in September 2009.

Archbishop Mbilingi also served as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM).