News
Once again we have been reminded of the cost of discipleship. We join with the lament of the Angolan church who are in shock after the brutal murder of Revd Manuel Ferreira in Uige province at Cassexe commune as he left church on Sunday 2 May 2010. Please pray for Bishop André and his priests as they lead their people and for Revd Ferreira’s wife Rosa Nunes Ferreira and their six children.
It is with great sadness I am announcing to you the death of our beloved Revd Manuel Ferreira in Uige province at Cassexe commune.
Revd Manuel was brutally assassinated today around 1:00 pm by unknown people when he was coming from Church (Holy Trinity Congregation church), nearby to his home town, where he had celebrated the Holy Eucharist today Sunday 2nd May 2010.
The ordeal killing has left a huge gap to the whole of Anglican diocese of Angola, in particular the Anglican district of Uige Province, and also to his family and friends in general.
Revd Manuel Ferreira is survived by his wife Rosa Nunes Ferreira and six children, please pray for the bereaved family.
However, the Police are taking care of the matter and so far one person (suspect) has been arrested and is already in the police custody for investigations.
Yours in Christ,
+André
From Bishop Michael Colclough
Chair of ALMA
My Brother Bishop,
It is with deep sadness that I write having heard of the death of one of God’s faithful priests, Manuel Ferreira and with horror that I read that this servant of God was assassinated on his way from the altar where he had worshipped God and fed God’s people. Do please convey to his widow, Rosa, and their family the deep sympathy and love of the people of the Diocese of London. He and they will be much in our prayers: not least, here at the Cathedral Church of St Paul.
I am reminded of the warmth and generosity that Cynthia and I received of Uige on our visit: we really feel this loss along with them and I pray the authorities soon bring to justice those responsible for his death.
When one part of the Body suffers, we all suffer: but we hold onto our confidence in the Risen Lord who has overcome death: and commit this faithful servant of His into His loving arms. May he rest in Peace.
From John Tasker
Bishop of Angola's Commissary in the UK
Commissario no Reino Unido da Igreja Anglicana em Angola
Dear Bishop André
I was shocked to read of the murder of Revd Manuel Ferreira. His life being taken so violently leaves a big hole in the Body of Christ. We feel this pain with you and his wife Rosa and their family, and the people of the Parish of St Stephen, Cassexe whom he has served so faithfully for so long.
King David wrote in Psalm 27, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall."
I hear that the man arrested for attacking Revd Ferreira could only walk around and around the area where the pastor's body lay. Had this man lost his way and could not get away from what he had done? David prays, "Teach me your way, O Lord, lead me via a straight path" (v.11). Perhaps, even in his death, God has enabled the Revd Manuel Ferreira to show the difference between the man of God walking a straight path, and one who attacks the Word of God but does not get anywhere.
In one of the pictures you sent us of the ordinations at Holy Innocents, Mucaba in January, we see Revd Manuel Ferreira in the front row among the new priests. This picture was printed in the Spring edition of MANNA magazine. We can see that his face is turned towards the cross, and in his hands he appears to be holding a holy bible & prayer book. Maybe these are the same books which he was carrying when attacked.
We can be confident that Revd Manuel Ferreira is with the Lord. May the Christ who conquered death, even death on a cross, enable his Body to conquer the death of this beloved pastor.