Kinshasa, August 17th, 2026 (CPA).- The ordination of thirteen (13) Catholic acolytes as deacons is scheduled for September 5th 2026, at the Notre Dame du Congo Cathedral in Gombe, a district in the north of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of congo (DRC), according to a press release seen by the CPA on Monday.
“May the Lord strengthen them in their vocation and make them worthy servants of his Gospel. The ordination will be conferred through the laying on of hands and the consecratory prayer by Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa,” read the statement signed by Father Clet-Clay Mamvemba, Secretary-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa.
According to the source, the Archdiocese of Kinshasa has, on this occasion, called on the faithful to support the future deacons through prayer, so that they may remain faithful to their vocation and serve the Church with humility and devotion.
“We commend all these future deacons to your fervent prayers (…). The ceremony on 5 September will thus bring together candidates from various ecclesial communities, notably the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, the Diocese of Mahagi-Nioka and the Congregation of the Schools of Charity,” the document added.
According to the text, eight (8) candidates are from the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, including Auzua Mukendi, from the Parish of the Resurrection; Kialanda Bienvenu, from the Parish of Saint Michael; Masandi Glodi-Benoît, from the Parish of Saint James; Mungang Moïse, from the parish of Saint Bartholomew; Mvioki Benjamin, from the parish of Saint Vincent de Paul; Nkala Onésime, from the parish of Saint Martha; Ntwa Emmanuel, from the parish of Saint Francis de Sales; and Ohoma Blaise, from the parish of Saint Athanasius. “The Diocese of Mahagi-Nioka will be represented by Pimungu Utim Guillaume. Four other candidates belong to the Congregation of the Schools of Charity: Baliko Marcel, Bampomo Henock, Cimpangila Cédric and Kabeya Félicien,” has specified the archdiocese’s statement. “We ask anyone who is aware of any impediment to the ordination of any of these candidates to inform the Archbishop of Kinshasa in good conscience,” has read in the document continued.
The diaconate is the first degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church, preceding the priesthood and the episcopate. A deacon is called, in particular, to the service of the Word of God, the liturgy and charity. Ordination takes place following a period of formation and discernment designed to prepare future ministers for service to the Church and the people of God.