The Catholic University of Angola (UCAN) today awarded Alexandre do Nascimento, the only Angolan cardinal, the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Law, in recognition of his “excellent work in favor of the country and humanity”.
The ceremony, which took place in the auditorium of the São João Paulo II building, in Luanda, was attended by the Vice-President of Angola, Bornito de Sousa, deputies, Catholic bishops, members of the UCAN rectory, students and other personalities.
The text granting the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Law was presented at the ceremony by the rector of UCAN, José Vicente Cacuchi, who praised the cardinal’s “deeds and commitment” in creating the university, 20 years ago.
“I confer the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Law to his eminence D. Alexandre Cardeal do Nascimento, in recognition of his excellent work in favor of the country, humanity and in the creation of what was the first private university in Angola, for having distinguished himself as an example in his generation, for his spirit of determination, for his high erudition and eclectic culture”, he highlighted.
The value of this “maximum distinction” provided for in the statute of the Catholic University of Angola to Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento, aged 94, was also highlighted by the great chancellor of UCAN, José Manuel Imbamba.
For the vice-president of the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé (CEAST), this ceremony “marks both on a symbolic and real level the beginning of a new phase” for UCAN.
“The adult phase, the phase of maturity that is marked with this honorable award ceremony to one of the most prestigious figures of our church in Angola and beyond”, he said.
“It is our conviction that his eminence is a figure of unique dimension and grandeur and the best way to honor him is to also give substance to his idea of UCAN training staff that will enable Angola to follow paths in the future”, he maintained.
When taking the floor, Cardinal Alexandre do Nascimento, also a Doctor Honoris Causa from the Classical University of Lisbon, considered the moment “a pleasant family meeting” and thanked the UCAN rectory for the initiative.
According to the honoree, who took a look at the moments, institutions and individuals that marked the founding of the Catholic University of Angola, the creation of UCAN was a dream come true and included the participation of “honorable citizens”.
For his part, the president of CEAST, Archbishop Filomeno Vieira Dias, stated that the ceremony had two dimensions, individual and institutional, “because it is the person who commits to the whole, who develops their faculties so that other people can have access to quality education”.
The Minister of Culture of Angola, Carolina Cerqueira, considered the honor as a “prestige for all Angolans”, because the “profile of a citizen, a man of the church, an intellectual, a man of culture makes the cardinal a national and international reference ”.
“And the fact that they granted him the title Honoris Causa in Law is more than deserved for a man who dedicated his entire life to defending Angolans”, he pointed out.
Alexandre do Nascimento was born on March 1, 1925, in the province of Malanje and is the only Angolan cardinal. He was ordained a priest in 1952 and Bishop on August 31, 1975, in the diocese of Malanje. He was elevated to cardinal on February 2, 1983 by Pope John Paul II.
Lusa