Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this personal documentary, EWTN News correspondent Colm Flynn travels to Angola to tell the story of his uncle, Fr. James Flynn.
A Holy Ghost Father, Fr. James spent more than 30 years as a
missionary in Africa, serving through Angola’s civil war, political
repression and widespread poverty. Rather than leave during the
country’s darkest years, he remained with the people, supporting
vulnerable children, protecting the faith and bringing the sacraments
to isolated communities.
Colm recorded this documentary a number of years ago, after realising
that while he was traveling the world reporting on priests and
religious doing extraordinary work, someone in his own family had
quietly devoted much of his life to doing the same.
Fr. James has since retired from missionary life and returned to
Scotland, where he continues to serve as a priest. This film offers a
moving snapshot of his years in Angola and the people and places that
transformed his mission into his home.
00:00 Meet Father James Flynn
01:43 A Celebration of 40 Years of Priesthood
03:36 Life in Angola’s Capital, Luanda
05:16 Answering the Call to Angola
07:11 Culture Shock, Racism and Belonging
09:10 A Childhood Vocation in Scotland
11:46 Called to the Priesthood
13:00 Serving the Sick and Forgotten
13:21 Arrival in Angola During Civil War
14:48 War, Fear and Staying With the People
17:26 Protecting Faith Under Communist Rule
20:42 Angola’s Growing Catholic Church
21:59 Rebuilding the Church in Malanje
25:13 Mission Work in Benguela
25:53 A Home for Abandoned Girls
29:26 Giving Street Children a Future
32:12 Angola Becomes Home
33:23 Oil Wealth, Poverty and Inequality
35:56 Angola’s History of Slavery
38:00 Angola’s Beauty, Faith and Legacy
41:30 A Life Dedicated to Others
Follow EWTN News on Social Media:
🖥️ Website: ewtnnews.com
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/catholicnewsagency
📌 Facebook: facebook.com/catholicnewsagency
🆇 Twitter/X: https://x.com/EWTNews
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@ewtn_news
---------------------------------
EWTN News offers free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites.
More information: editors.catholicnewsagency.com
---------------------------------
#CatholicChurch #Catholicism #CatholicNews #EWTNNews #EWTN
In this personal documentary, EWTN News correspondent Colm Flynn travels to Angola to tell the story of his uncle, Fr. James Flynn.
A Holy Ghost Father, Fr. James spent more than 30 years as a
missionary in Africa, serving through Angola’s civil war, political
repression and widespread poverty. Rather than leave during the
country’s darkest years, he remained with the people, supporting
vulnerable children, protecting the faith and bringing the sacraments
to isolated communities.
Colm recorded this documentary a number of years ago, after realising
that while he was traveling the world reporting on priests and
religious doing extraordinary work, someone in his own family had
quietly devoted much of his life to doing the same.
Fr. James has since retired from missionary life and returned to
Scotland, where he continues to serve as a priest. This film offers a
moving snapshot of his years in Angola and the people and places that
transformed his mission into his home.
00:00 Meet Father James Flynn
01:43 A Celebration of 40 Years of Priesthood
03:36 Life in Angola’s Capital, Luanda
05:16 Answering the Call to Angola
07:11 Culture Shock, Racism and Belonging
09:10 A Childhood Vocation in Scotland
11:46 Called to the Priesthood
13:00 Serving the Sick and Forgotten
13:21 Arrival in Angola During Civil War
14:48 War, Fear and Staying With the People
17:26 Protecting Faith Under Communist Rule
20:42 Angola’s Growing Catholic Church
21:59 Rebuilding the Church in Malanje
25:13 Mission Work in Benguela
25:53 A Home for Abandoned Girls
29:26 Giving Street Children a Future
32:12 Angola Becomes Home
33:23 Oil Wealth, Poverty and Inequality
35:56 Angola’s History of Slavery
38:00 Angola’s Beauty, Faith and Legacy
41:30 A Life Dedicated to Others
Follow EWTN News on Social Media:
🖥️ Website: ewtnnews.com
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/catholicnewsagency
📌 Facebook: facebook.com/catholicnewsagency
🆇 Twitter/X: https://x.com/EWTNews
📱 TikTok: tiktok.com/@ewtn_news
---------------------------------
EWTN News offers free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites.
More information: editors.catholicnewsagency.com
---------------------------------
#CatholicChurch #Catholicism #CatholicNews #EWTNNews #EWTN
