Alexandre do Nascimento facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Alexandre do Nascimento OP |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop of Luanda | |
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| Archdiocese | Luanda |
| Appointed | 16 February 1986 |
| Reign ended | 23 January 2001 |
| Predecessor | Eduardo André Muaca |
| Successor | Damião António Franklin |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of San Marco in Agro Laurentino |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 20 December 1952 |
| Consecration | 31 August 1975 by Giovanni De Andrea |
| Created Cardinal | 2 February 1983 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Alexandre do Nascimento |
| Born | 1 March 1925 Malanje, Portuguese Angola |
| Died | 28 September 2024 (aged 99) Luanda, Angola |
| Nationality | Angolan |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto | turres fortissima nomen domini |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Alexandre do Nascimento |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Luanda (emeritus) |
Alexandre do Nascimento (born March 1, 1925 – died September 28, 2024) was an important leader in the Catholic Church from Angola. He was a Cardinal, which is a very high rank in the Church. He also served as the Archbishop of Luanda, a major city in Angola, from 1986 to 2001. He became a Cardinal in 1983.
Contents
Life Story
Early Life and Education
Alexandre do Nascimento was born in Malanje, Angola, on March 1, 1925. He started his studies at special schools called seminaries in Banglas, Malanje, and Luanda. These schools are where people train to become priests.
In 1948, he traveled to Rome, Italy, to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University. There, he learned a lot about philosophy and theology, which are important subjects for Church leaders.
Becoming a Priest and Early Work
On December 20, 1952, he became a priest. This ceremony is called ordination. He was ordained by Archbishop Luigi Traglia. After becoming a priest, he taught theology at the Luanda seminary. He also worked as the main editor for a Catholic newspaper called O apostolado.
In 1956, he became a preacher at the main church, known as the cathedral.
Time in Exile and Return
In 1961, a war for independence started in Angola. Because of this, Nascimento had to leave his home and go to Lisbon, Portugal. This is called being in exile.
While he was in Portugal, he continued his Church work, helping people in local churches. He also studied civil law at a university there.
He returned to Angola in 1971. When he came back, he taught about moral theology at an institute. He also worked for the Church in Lubango and helped lead a charity called Cáritas. He also offered special help to students and people who had been held as political prisoners.
Becoming a Bishop and Archbishop
On August 10, 1975, Pope Paul VI chose Nascimento to become the fourth bishop of Malanje. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the Church who oversees a specific area.
He officially became a bishop on August 31, 1975. This ceremony is called episcopal consecration.
From 1975 to 1981, he was the vice-president of the Angolan Episcopal Conference. This is a group of bishops who work together. On February 3, 1977, he was named the third Archbishop of Lubango. An archbishop oversees an even larger area than a bishop.
Kidnapping and Becoming a Cardinal
In 1982, while on a visit to a church area, Archbishop do Nascimento was kidnapped by a group of fighters. He was held for about a month. He was finally set free on November 16, 1982, after Pope John Paul II asked for his release.
On February 2, 1983, Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal-Priest. This happened during a special meeting called a consistory. Cardinals are the Pope's closest advisors and help choose the next Pope.
In 1984, he led special spiritual exercises for the Pope and other important Church leaders in Rome.
On February 16, 1986, he became the thirty-fourth Archbishop of Luanda. He served in this important role until he retired on January 23, 2001.
Later Life and Legacy
Cardinal Nascimento was too old to vote for a new Pope in the 2005 papal conclave. Cardinals can vote for a new Pope only if they are under 80 years old.
He became the oldest living Cardinal in the College of Cardinals when Cardinal Jozef Tomko passed away in 2022. He was also one of the longest-serving Cardinals, having been appointed in 1983.
On June 4, 2015, he joined a special group within the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans.
Alexandre do Nascimento passed away on September 28, 2024, at the age of 99.
See also
In Spanish: Alexandre do Nascimento para niños
