The International Mission in Angola is a young mission, just six years and five months old … and that marked the formal beginning of the evangelization of the poor which was promoted by the Congregation of the Mission in that part of the world.
According to Father Gregory Gay, CM, former superior general, the genesis of the presence of the Congregation in Angola, occurred in the context of a visit that he made to the Vincentian Family in that country (the members of the Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul were the largest branch). In that meeting Father General was told that “one member of the family is missing here” (a reference of the Congregation of the Mission). Another important element during this initial phase was the visit with the bishops who requested the presence of the Congregation (both Bishop Luis Maris [archbishop in Malanje] and Bishop Benedito Robert [bishop of Sumbe] requested the presence of members of Congregation).
From the beginning, two elements would highlight the service that the Congregation would render in Angola: accompaniment of the Vincentian Family and support for the church in Angola.
After a process of discernment, the Congregation delegated Father José María Nieto (Province of Madrid) and Father José Ramirez (Province of Mexico) to make an initial investigation and to define in what part of the country the Congregation would support the church in Angola. Thus, the mission in Lombe (the Archdiocese of Malanje) was chosen because of its rural nature and because it also had some of the necessary infrastructure. In 2012 the Congregation formally took possession of the mission and has exercised its pastoral ministry in four areas: (1) support for the church in Angola (parish ministry); (2) accompanies of the Daughters of Charity (retreat ministry); (3) accompaniment of the other branches of the Vincentian Family (formation ministry); (4) promotion of vocations.
Alfredo Aldana, CM (RIP)
During these years, various confreres have ministered here: Father José María Nieto (Spain – March 2012-June 2014), Father José Ramírez (Mexico – March 2012-March 2016), Father Jason Soto Herrera (Nicaragua – August 2013 until the present), Father Roberto Perea (Mexico – October 2014-April 2015), Father Marcos Gumieiro (Brazil – January 2015-January 2018) and Father José Alfredo Ángeles (Mexico – October 2018 until +27.07.2020).
With regard to the four pastoral ministry areas that were mentioned above, that which is a great concern and most demanding of our presence is the mission in Lombe. That mission is composed of 42 Christian communities whose members are mostly campesinos. They reside in five pastoral zones. Our mission here has moved through two stages: the first stage (2012-2014) was characterized by observation which included a process of inculturation and a search for the proper methodology for the evangelization of the people in this area. The second stage (2015 until the present) is no longer simply observing but has involved initial activities. At this time we have been somewhat bold in developing a six year pastoral plan (2015-2020) which enables us to confront the five great problems which effect the majority of the people who live in this country and especially those who are most poor: (1) infant mortality and death of mother during childbirth; (2) campesinos losing their land; (3) generalized corruption; (4) recourse to violence in order to resolve problems; (5) high percentage of illiteracy. These problems have become even more intense since 2016 (a time of financial crisis which has continued to plague the country).
After more than six years of being present in this country and as we approach the conclusion of the time outlined in our pastoral plan, we believe that the experience in this country is truly enriching for us as individuals dedicated to the evangelization of the poor. We propose that the Congregation of the Mission continue to minister here, not only because of the poverty and misery but also because of the lack of clergy, especially in the Archdiocese of Malanje. Furthermore, accompanying the members of the various branches of the Vincentian Family makes our presence all the more necessary.
By: Rev. Jason Cristian Soto Herrera, CM
