Anglican Church
[Source: John Tasker - February 2010]
Beatriz Alexandre died in Luanda on Saturday, 6 February 2010. Mama Beatriz was the Mother of the Anglican Church in Angola. She was buried in Uige alongside her husband, The Ven. Alexandre Domingos, who was the first Archdeacon of Angola. Her death is a sign of the passing of the generation converted by the Mission to the North of Angola led by Archibald Patterson.
She leaves seven of the nine children born to her and Revd Alexandre: Joana served the church as Mothers Union Executive Secretary; her sister Lina and brother Cananito are both MPs in the Angolan Parliament; Custodio is a farmer in Uige; Adao is the parish priest of Christ the King in Luanda, and Matondo is technical director of Nets for Life Angola in the diocesan development department.
The Anglican Church in Angola was inaugurated by government decree on 14 February 1992, which was the very day that Revd Alexandre died. These two significant events are marked by the Diocese of Angola as Evangelisation Day every 14 February. This has provided an annual opportunity for the church to remember its missionary calling, and to shows its love for Mama Beatriz and her family.
Pastor Muanga remembers that after the Revd Alexandre died, Mama Beatriz was called to preach at the first anniversary of the ordination of priests who had been ordained by Bishop Dinis. She spoke on Joshua.
“Moses died but God chose Joshua to take his place to lead the people of Israel. You are the Joshua of this Church. Moses has died. You must go and lead his church. Joshua received help from God, you will receive the help of God for the Anglican Church.”
With many such words of encouragement for the transformation of the church, from the depths of her own spiritual relationship with God, Mama Beatriz helped people to grow in their faith and ministries.
On Evangelisation Day 2010, may Mama Beatriz rest in peace and rise in glory.