A true moment of missionary renewal and gratitude for the seed that is already bearing fruit.
The presence of the Consolata Missionaries in Angola began in 2014, when the first group of priests arrived in the country with the mission to evangelize and promote human development. Since then, they have contributed to strengthening the local Church, creating new Christian communities, and providing pastoral accompaniment to families, youth, and the most vulnerable populations.
By Dani Romero *
In celebrating 12 years of missionary presence on Angolan soil, we had the joy of receiving, from July 1 to 8, 2026, the Canonical Visit of the Superior General, Father James Lengarin, and the General Councilor for Africa, Father Erasto Mgalama, accompanied by the Regional Superior of Mozambique-Angola, Father Cassiano Kalima.
These were intense days of work, listening, fraternal sharing, and encounters with missionaries, Christian communities, families, and young people across our three missionary presences in Angola: Luacano, Funda, and Capalanga.
Luacano: First Evangelization and Hope
Arriving in Luanda, on July 2, the superiors continued their journey to Luena, the capital of Moxico Province in eastern Angola. There, they were received by the diocesan Bishop, Msgr. Martín Lasarte, a Uruguayan Salesian, who expressed deep gratitude for the consoling presence of the Consolata Missionaries in his Diocese, particularly in the Luacano mission.
Following this meeting, the superiors—accompanied by Fathers Fernando Chissano (Mozambique) and Jean Baptiste Kambale (DR Congo)—traveled approximately 217 kilometers over dirt roads, a journey of about ten hours, to reach Luacano, where the Consolata Missionaries have been present since 2018.
In this vast pastoral area of about 13,573 km², the missionaries dedicate themselves to the first evangelization of the Chokwe and Luvale peoples. Their missionary work includes:
- Community visits and catechesis.
- Educational projects and literacy programs for children and adults.
- Human promotion through teaching more productive and sustainable agricultural techniques.
At the parish of Holy Mary Mother of God, the superiors met with the missionaries and the small local Christian community, which welcomed them with great joy, songs, and a family spirit. The visit also included Lake Dilolo, home to two isolated Christian communities that are only accessible during the dry season via long journeys on sandy roads.
“This visit is a great blessing from God. It takes place only once every six years, allowing our people to personally meet the superiors of the Institute.” — Father Fernando Chissano, serving in Luacano
It was, without a doubt, a moment of renewal of faith and missionary spirit, both for the missionaries and for the people of this remote region far from Angola’s major urban centers.
The Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father James Lengarin at the parish of Our Lady Mother of God on Sunday, July 5, marked the conclusion of the Canonical Visit to Luacano. Grateful and highly generous, the Christian community presented its offerings.
Funda: Evangelization, Human Promotion, and Mission
After many hours of travel, on July 6, the superiors proceeded to the Funda Mission in the Icolo and Bengo Province, where the Consolata Missionaries have been serving the Diocese of Caxito since 2016.
Currently, the missionary community consists of Father Douglas Nyangena (Kenya) and Father Dani Romero (Venezuela), who are responsible for the parish of Our Lady of Consolata.
In addition to the pastoral accompaniment of the 25 Christian communities that make up the parish, the missionaries dedicate themselves to human promotion through:
- Assistance to the sick.
- Prevention campaigns and efforts to combat malnutrition in children and the elderly.
- Missionary and vocational animation.
- Training pastoral workers.
During the visit, the superiors met with the missionaries, traveled throughout the parish territory, and participated in the morning Eucharistic celebration with the Christian community.
Father Douglas Nyangena expressed the gratitude of the missionary community:
“Thank you very much for the visit. We felt your fatherly and comforting presence in our community. It was a moment of great spiritual and missionary renewal.”
Capalanga: Mission in the Urban Peripheries
The final leg of the Canonical Visit took place on July 7 in Capalanga, a populous peripheral neighborhood in the municipality of Viana, Luanda. Here, the Consolata Missionaries took charge of St. Augustine Parish in 2014, which belongs to the Diocese of Viana.
The missionary community is made up of Father John Kyara (Tanzania) and Father Fredy Gómez (Colombia), the latter having been recently assigned to the Region of Brazil.
In this mission, the missionaries focus especially on:
- Pastoral accompaniment of peripheral communities.
- Adult literacy.
- Assisting the sick in nearby hospitals and health centers.
- Missionary and vocational animation, especially among the youth.
During the visit, the superiors met with the missionaries and the parish community. They were also received by the Bishop of the Diocese of Viana, Msgr. Emílio Sumbelelo, who expressed his thanks for the presence of the Consolata Missionaries and the generous pastoral work they carry out in the Diocese.
A Time of Missionary Renewal
The schedule for the Canonical Visit to the IMC group in Angola included a meeting of all six Consolata Missionaries working in the country. It was a privileged time for evaluation, listening, and discernment regarding the path traveled and the future challenges of the mission.
The superiors expressed their gratitude for each missionary’s testimony and highlighted the richness of interculturality present in the missionary communities in Angola. They also stressed the importance of investing in the stability of missionary personnel, the self-sustainability of their presences, and the fotmation of new Angolan missionaries called to serve the mission beyond their borders.
“You must achieve a good integration between the person of the missionary, the community, and pastoral work.” — Father James Lengarin, Superior General
Father Erasto Mgalama added: “It is necessary to be a community. Africa is missionary, and we must help the laity and communities to truly feel like missionaries.”
For his part, the Regional Superior for Mozambique-Angola, Father Cassiano Kalima, encouraged the group: “You are young missionaries. You must encourage one another and encourage others. The people love you.”
The visit to the Angola group concluded with a solemn Eucharistic celebration at St. Augustine Parish in Capalanga. During the Mass, we offered our thanks to God for the 12 years of missionary presence in this African nation and for the warm, generous hospitality of the Angolan people, who continue to walk with us in building the Kingdom of God.
This visit was truly a time of missionary renewal, fraternal communion, and gratitude for the seed planted 12 years ago, which today continues to sprout, grow, and bear abundant fruit.
On July 9, the superiors departed for Mozambique where, until August 5, they will continue their Canonical Visit to the Region.
* Father Dani Romero, IMC, Venezuelan missionary in Angola.
