The Major Seminary of Luanda will be the stage for an “event of great importance” for the Catholic Church in Angola to mark the beginning of the celebrations, according to the Archdiocese of Luanda.
Alexandre do Nascimento, the only Angolan cardinal, was born on March 1, 1925 in Malanje and is one of the most prominent leaders of the Catholic Church in Angola. He was ordained a priest in 1952 and elevated to bishop on August 10, 1975.
According to the Archdiocese of Luanda, his trajectory is marked by a “deep commitment to social justice and human rights” and also played a crucial role during the Angolan civil war.
Recognized for his courage and dedication, the Archdiocese points out in a statement, Alexandre do Nascimento was ordained cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1983 and is currently the oldest member of the College of Cardinals.
Graduated in Theology, the cardinal who was also president of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé and is archbishop emeritus of Luanda, participated in the conclaves for the election of Pope Benedict XVI (in 2005) and the election of Pope Francis (in 2013), but he did not have the right to vote due to his age.
The beginning of the celebrations of Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento's five decades of episcopal service will also be marked by the ordination of eight priests.
