Ghana: Catholic Diocese of Sunyani celebrates three Anniversaries.

Gabriel Asempa Antwi -Accra.

The Bishop of the Konongo-Mampong Diocese, Joseph Osei-Bonsu, preaching at the well-attended Mass with dignitaries and hundreds of faithful clad in their colourful jubilee attires, urged them to rededicate themselves to the values of the Church and to resist the sins of the flesh.

Let us Build the Lord’s Church

He paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers, the priests, the religious and lay people who contributed immensely to the growth of the Diocese.

Speaking on the theme for the Jubilee: Arise! Let us Build the Lord’s Church, Bishop Osei-Bonsu called upon the faithful to renew their commitment to build a diocese that radiates love in its mission and is attractive to those who want to become members.

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, who presided over Mass, conveyed the Holy Father’s congratulatory message to the Bishop and faithful of the Diocese, encouraging them to keep the faith.

State praises Catholics 

The representative of the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, Mr Agyeman Manu, who is also the Minister for Health, paid glowing tribute to the Church for its role in the development of Ghana.

The Former President of Ghana, Mr John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress party, commended the Catholic Church for its contribution to education, healthcare and human development over the years.

A Church thriving in faith 

The Host and Ordinary of Sunyani Diocese, Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, whose 20th Anniversary of Episcopacy coincided with the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese, expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his message to the Diocese. He commended all the dignitaries who graced the occasion, the faithful, priests, and religious, for their active participation since the launch of the triple jubilee commemorations.

Rooted in the life of the people

It was on 17 September 1923 when Fr. R.P.J Rothft administered the Sacrament of Baptism to two Catechumen: Mr Peter Kyeremeh Kwaku Dapaa and Mr Paul Kofi Kyeremeh at the newly established Saints Peter and Paul Mission Church, Kwasibourkrom. Fifty years after the baptism of the two, Pope Paul VI, on 30 March 1973, canonically erected the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani with Bishop James Kwadwo Owusu (also from Kwasibourkrom) appointed as its first Bishop.

The Diocese, which started with nine (9) parishes, now has 58. There are also 128 priests and 45 Sisters of Diocesan right. Further still, the Diocese has 578 commissioned Catechists as well as several Church-owned institutions: 415 Basic Schools, 13 Senior High/Technical Schools, 2 Midwifery and Nursing Training Colleges, a National Catholic University hosted by the Diocese and 9 Catholic hospitals and clinics, among others.