Huambo: Archbishop Zeferino Zeca Martins of Angola’s Catholic Archdiocese of Huambo has called on members of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (CEPAMI) to pursue their mission with unwavering courage, faith, and determination, even in the face of adversity.

Delivering the homily during the closing Mass of the 14th General Assembly of CEPAMI on September 13 at the Diocesan Clergy House of the Lwena Catholic Diocese, Archbishop Zeca, who also serves as President of the CEAST Commission, highlighted the spiritual and social significance of the migrant mission.

“The mission of migrants is not simply a passage or a temporary stage, but a permanent and firm commitment,” Archbishop Zeca emphasized. He urged CEPAMI members to confront the “snares and traps of this world” and remain steadfast in their calling.

Describing migrants as “messengers of faith and hope,” the Archbishop said their mission requires them to be “light and salt wherever they are,” particularly in environments of adversity and marginalization. He noted that migrants carry the message of God’s love, which must be witnessed in all circumstances, especially where suffering is most deeply felt.

Archbishop Zeca stressed the importance of preparation for both practical and spiritual challenges. “It is essential that pastoral agents prepare not only to face the physical and material challenges of migration, but also the spiritual and cultural barriers that may arise,” he said. He added that the mission requires inner strength, unshakable faith, and the ability to be a living sign of the Gospel.

The Archbishop also highlighted the social dimension of the pastoral care of migrants, calling it a true witness of divine love and a source of hope for the most vulnerable. “Bearing witness to God’s love is not only a religious task but also a social commitment that requires courage and dedication,” he said, stressing that this vocation demands total dedication and the ability to confront dangers without fear or doubt.

He encouraged pastoral agents to embody authenticity and coherence in their faith, reminding them that true piety must translate into active support for migrants and marginalized communities. Archbishop Zeca emphasized the need to provide spiritual, psychological, and material assistance, ensuring migrants can carry out their mission with dignity and hope.

“It is essential that the pastoral care of migrants be a space of welcome, of strengthening faith, and of encouragement for the mission,” he said. “We cannot give up, even when the road seems difficult and the storm strong. The mission of migrants is to be a beacon that lights the darkness, a living witness of the hope that does not fail.”

Through his homily, Archbishop Zeca Martins reinforced the Church’s commitment to supporting migrants as integral participants in evangelization and social outreach, calling for a faith that actively transforms lives and communities.