The Pope’s condolences for death of Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento

Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence to Archbishop Filomeno do Nascimento Vieira Dias of Luanda, Angola, upon the death, on Saturday, 28 September, of Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento, Archbishop emeritus of Luanda. Following are a translation of the telegram and a short biography of the late Cardinal.

Having learned of the death of the venerable brother Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento, I wish to express to Your Excellency, the auxiliary bishops, the clergy, the religious communities and all the faithful of this archdiocese, as well as the relatives and all those in Angola who mourn the passing of this distinguished pastor, the communion of my prayers, so that no one may lack the comfort of the Resurrection. I remember the care given by dear Dom Alexandre to his flock in troubled and difficult times, having been for all an expression of the merciful face of Jesus, the Good Samaritan of humanity. Faith in Christ and hope in eternal life made him a courageous and free man, capable of directing his steps in favour of the common good, and he even collaborated with this Apostolic See in his zeal in favour of the poorest and most needy, leading Caritas International. For all that the Lord has accomplished in him and through him, I give thanks to God, imploring him to envelop this faithful servant of his with the light of mercy and to open to him the doors of full life, while at the same time imparting my heartfelt blessing to all those taking part in the funeral.

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Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento, Archbishop emeritus of Luanda, was born in Malanje on 1 March 1925. He was ordained in Rome on 20 December 1952 by the then vice regent Monsignor Luigi Traglia. He then returned to his country and from 1953 to 1961 was professor of dogmatic theology at the major seminary of Luanda, editor of the local Catholic newspaper “O Apostolate”, and adjunct-director of the Catholic Radio, chaplain to family groups and port workers, and responsible for the homilies at the Cathedral of Luanda. He left Angola in 1961, and spent 10 years of pastoral ministry in parishes in Lisbon, also attending courses given by the faculty of civil law. He returned to his country in 1971, became secretary general of Caritas in Angola, president of the church tribunal of Luanda, a member of the presbyterial council and of the diocesan commission for the Holy Year 1975, as well as a teacher of moral theology at the Pius xii Institute of Social Service and at the Center for Catholic Culture.

On 10 August 1975, Paul vi appointed him Bishop of Malanje. He received episcopal ordination on 31 August in the Cathedral of Luanda. Less than two years later, on 3 February 1977, after the Holy See reorganized the Diocese of Angola with the constitution of two new ecclesiastical provinces, he was promoted to the Metropolitan See of Lubango. He was then made Apostolic Administrator “ad nutum Sanctae Sedis” of the Diocese of Ondjiva. He was also a member of the Permanent Committee of the Episcopal Conference and President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Assistance and the Missions. On 15 October 1982, during a pastoral visit, he was kidnapped by armed guerillas. John Paul ii launched an appeal for his freedom during the Angelus of 31 October, and he was freed on 16 November of that year.

During Lent of 1984, he preached the spiritual exercises in the Vatican for the Roman Curia, in which the Holy Father also participated.

He was Archbishop of Luanda from 16 February 1986 to 23 January 2001.

Saint John Paul ii created him a Cardinal in the Consistory of 2 February 1983, of the Title of S. Marco in Agro Laurentino (Saint Mark in Agro Laurentino).