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Angola’s First Cardinal had Died in Luanda at the ripe age of 99. Testimonies of the life of this great man of God have continued to pour like water. Several people have eulogized him as a “great pastor of the Church.” Alexandre Cardinal do Nascimento, the first Cardinal in the Southern African nation of Angola, has passed on in Luanda; he was aged 99.

Cardinal do Nascimento, Archbishop emeritus of Luanda Archdiocese died on Saturday, September 28, members of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST) announced in a statement.

“At this time of mourning and serenity, awaiting the details of his funeral, we extend our deepest condolences to the Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda, his biological family, and all those involved in this sad event,” CEAST members say.

They add, “Let us pray to God for our brother and great pastor of the Church, that he may be welcomed into heaven and find eternal rest.”

Born in Angola’s Province of Malanje on 1 March 1925, Cardinal do Nascimento was ordained a Priest in December 1952. He started his Episcopal Ministry as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malanje in August 1975.

In February 1977, he was transferred to Angola’s Archdiocese of Lubango, and elevated to Archbishop. He was created Cardinal during the February 1983 Consistory.

He was transferred to the Archdiocese of Luanda in February 1986 and resigned from the pastoral government of the archdiocese in 2001.

At the celebration of his 99th birth anniversary, the Angolan Cardinal was lauded for exercising much wisdom and richness of life in his ministry.

“May God continue to bless you so that by being in our midst, with this dense and noble cloud of wisdom and so much richness of life, we all learn never to waste a single moment of life and never forget the author of life itself, God,” CEAST President, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, said during the Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady of Assumption Cathedral of Malanje Archdiocese on March 3.

The Local Ordinary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Saurimo in Angola highlighted Cardinal do Nascimento’s achievements as a “religious leader who worked for the development of the church, Angolan society and the world in general.”

Archbishop Imbamba said that Cardinal do Nascimento’s humanist performance contributed to the progress, unity, and well-being of Angolans, noting that it was necessary to honor and respect the Cardinal’s 99th birthday, 72 of which were dedicated to the Priesthood.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
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