Africa: Election for Secam Chair Marks New Era for Catholic Church

Luanda — The recent election of Don Gabriel Mbilingi as chairman of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), marks a new era of vitality for the Catholic Church in Angola.

This was said Tuesday in Luanda by the priest of the St. Francisco de Sales Church in Angola's northern Uige province, Correia Hilário while speaking to Angop on the election of D. Gabriel Mbilingi for the post in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Correia Hilário stressed that the religious leader will know, in any way, to lead the destinies of the church across the African continent judging by his aptitude, maturity of faith and extensive experience in the church.

On the other hand, he described the election as a divine choice, once the church is guided by the action of the Holy Spirit.

The new religious leader is up to the current challenges the continent faces with, he emphasized.

According to the priest, the Catholic community expects the new Angolan leader to make understand and disseminate, through his post, the history of the religious culture of the country as Angola is a country that welcomed the gospel for more than 500 years of evangelization.

The source assured that the church will work together toward cultivation the spirit of cooperation and brotherhood.

To the Father Correia Hilário, this election was greeted with jubilation, since one of the Angolan pastors will be at helm of the Catholic Church in Africa for three year-term.

Before this election, D. Gabriel Mbilingi held the post of Archbishop of Lubango (Angola).