“Formation does not end in the seminary”: Catholic Bishop to Newly Ordained Priests in Angola

According to Bishop Kanda, the priestly vocation requires ongoing discernment and concrete life choices rooted in service to God and His people.

“The life of a Priest must be marked by constant discernment, since vocation requires concrete choices that help shape one’s entire life in service of God and the Christian community,” he said.

The 67-year-old Catholic Bishop emphasized that fidelity to one’s calling must remain at the heart of priestly life.

“The Priest is called to live in coherence with what he proclaims and to avoid anything that could weaken his commitment to Christ,” he said, adding that Priestly ministry also requires discipline, responsibility, and a life centered on the Gospel.

Reflecting on the role of seminaries, Bishop Kanda described them as privileged places of formation where future Priests mature spiritually, humanly, and pastorally in preparation for serving the Church.

He also noted that authentic leadership in the Church is rooted in humble service rather than authority.

“The true Christian leader is one who draws close to people, especially the most vulnerable, bringing hope where there is discouragement, consolation where there is suffering, and guidance where there is uncertainty,” he said.

Bishop Kanda cautioned against reducing priestly ministry to the celebration of the sacraments alone, saying priests are called to accompany the faithful through pastoral care, attentive listening, and a constant presence within their communities.

“The Priest is sent to serve and not to be served,” he said, explaining that the Church’s mission is to make God’s mercy visible in people’s lives and in society.

The Catholic Church leader noted that communities accompanied by dedicated pastors become “more united, more supportive, and more capable of witnessing to the faith in the world.”