Jaime Pedro Gonçalves

“The retired experience is characterised mainly by rest since one is after all in retirement. Without the concerns of the office, I initially found life in retirement disconcerting. For 35 years I was the head of the diocese and then the archdiocese.”

“In an Africa full of hate and war and at the same time thirsty for love, I believe that it is very important for the Church to be involved in works of charity: works of charity not for proselytism, but to witness the fact that we must love each other as Christ loved us. In the dioceses there are many initiatives, but I think we must also revive the charisma of the works of mercy. In the tradition of the Church, the works of charity are an eloquent testimonial of love, even for the non-believers.”