Bolgatanga hosts Ghana Catholic Bishops’Conference after 20 years

The Apostolic Nuncio of Ghana, His Excellency Archbishop Jean Marrie Speich

The Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga has played host to this year’s plenary session of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference after 20 years under the auspices of the then Catholic Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese, Most Rev Lucas Abadamloora. 

The annual rotational event seeks to discuss pertinent issues affecting the catholic Christendom while reflecting on the modest achievements of the church as well as the way forward. 

The overall objective is to enjoin the assembly come out with workable pastoral initiatives that will propel the growth and development of the entire catholic faith. 

The theme for this year’s plenary assembly: ‘The Laity in the context of the new evangelisation’ comes on the heels of the Ordinary Synod of the Bishops on the family of Rome, where the laity is being challenged and assisted by leadership of the church to play its effective role in the work of evangelization. 

Members of the Muslim Council

DRM, Daniel Syme (Middle) in pose with  Bishops and Archbishops across the country.

This year’s historic event is being organised under the distinguished patronage of the Apostolic Nuncio of Ghana, His Excellency Archbishop Jean Marrie Speich and the Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckles among a host of other bishops.

 Opening the session, the Bishop of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Alfred Agyenta, described the choice of the theme as apt and appropriate considering the current moral crisis the country is experiencing evidenced by the alarming revelations of alleged corruption and malfeasance in some public and private institutions. 

He said the performance of the laity is shaping the society cannot be glossed over, hence the need for the assembly to exercise its jurisdiction by making the laity perform its expected primary vocation through evangelization. 

According to him, if lay people in the catholic devotion are made to know their faith and social teachings of the church, they will rise up to the challenge and bring to bear their God-given talents to transform the society and the world at large. 

While emphasizing on the role of the laity in the growth of the church, Most Rev Agyenta, underscored the invaluable contribution of the diocese in the promotion of the vocation and dignity of the laity.   

He payed growing tribute to some illustrious lay faithful of the diocese who played leading roles in the promotion of the cause of laity both at the local and national levels. 

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme, who was the guest speaker, commended the Catholic Church for the numerous social interventions, especially in the area of education and called for renewed between partnership between the church and the government. 

Mr Syme, seized the occasion to caution evangelists and fundamentalists who hide behind religion to commit mayhem in society. 

He therefore called for concerted effort in tackling social and religious vices and expressed the urgency to reinforce counselling sessions to give spiritual renewal to the laity to resist worldly temptations. 

Mr Syme also called for attitudinal change among public servants by adhering to work ethics to enhance productivity. 

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency, Archbishop Jean Marie Speich, said the new evangelization encapsulated in the theme is a wakeup call for Christians to reawaken their enthusiasm as members of the church. 

The new evangelization, he, noted is concerned with the church’s service to reconciliation, peace and justice in all forms. 

He encouraged the church particularly the youth to be vigilant and resist temptations that have the tendency to destroy their future. 

There were goodwill messages from the local council of churches, the National Union of Ghana Diocesan Priest Association, the Ghana Muslim Council, the Ahmaddiya mission as well as the laity council.   

 There were particular about the increasing political tension in the country and called for calm among feuding factions. 

The peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims was clearly acknowledged.  

 The event which was duly opened by the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Bishop of Konongo-Mampong, Most Rev Joseph-Bonsu was attended by archbishops and bishops of the Catholic Church including traditional rulers and lay Catholics.  

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