Bishop of Gurué
Inácio Lucas was born on September 21, 1969, in Napaco, in the province of Nampula. After completing his primary and secondary education in Napaco, Namirôa, and Mirrote (1976–1984), he continued his formation in Carapira (Monapo) at the São Daniele Comboni Catholic missionary school (1985–1987). In 1988, he studied at the São Carlos Lwanga Propaedeutic Seminary in Nampula. He studied philosophy at the Matola Seminary (1990–1992) and theology at the Maputo Seminary (1993–1996). He was ordained a priest on June 21, 1998, and incardinated into the Diocese of Nacala. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: parochial vicar of the Nacala Cathedral, spiritual assistant to the Legion of Mary, teacher of Portuguese and history, staff member of the diocesan secretariat, and diocesan coordinator for vocations and seminarians (1998–2001). He obtained a Licentiate in Sacred Liturgy from the Pontifical Atheneum of Saint Anselm in Rome (2001–2004). He subsequently served as parochial vicar of the Nacala Cathedral (2004–2005); vice-rector and prefect of studies at the Santo Agostinho Philosophical Seminary in Matola; lecturer in liturgy at the Maputo Theological Seminary and the Maria Madre dell’Africa Higher Institute (2005–2011); secretary of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy and the Episcopal Commission for the Clergy; rector of the Saint Pius X Interdiocesan Theological Seminary in Maputo (2011–2015); and *parochus in solidum* (joint pastor) of Nossa Senhora da Assunção in Netia (2015–2017). Since 2017, he has served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Nacala, moderator pastor of São João de Deus, and rector of the Nossa Senhora Mãe de África Shrine in Alua.