Pope confers title of Monsignor on two Accra priests

Two priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra have been elevated to the status of Monsignors.

The ecclesiastical title of honour was bestowed on now Msgr. Theodore Quaye and Msgr. Peter Kofi Atsu at a ceremony presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency Most Rev. Henryk M. Jagodziński at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Accra on December 10.

The ceremony was concelebrated by Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie Cssp, Archbishop of Accra, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. John Kobina Louis, Vicar General of Accra as well as Very Rev. Fr. Clement Wilson, Cathedral Administrator.

Chaplain of His Holiness or Monsignor is an ecclesiastical title of honour bestowed on Priests and Prelates by the Pope. All Bishops and Archbishops are entitled to it, but it is used more commonly to distinguish certain Priests whose faithful and abiding service to the Church has gained them approbation from the Holy See.

Monsignors may wear distinctive vestments similar to those of Bishops. However, they do not wear a skullcap or a pectoral cross. All those who bear the title of Monsignor belong to the ‘Papal Family’ and are entitled to be present in the Cappella Pontificia (when the Pope celebrates Solemn Mass) and to participate in all public religious and social celebrations, wearing robes corresponding to their respective offices.

It should be noted that in December 2013 Pope Francis made it clear that candidates presented for the rank of Chaplain to His Holiness must be at least 65 years old.

About Msgr. Theodore Quaye

He was born on 24th October, 1944 at Bibiani in the Western Region. He attended Pope John’s Seminary & Secondary School (1963 – 1968) He Qualified as a Trained Teacher in 1970 at Akropong Akuapim as a certificate ‘A’ Teacher and taught for nine years.

He joined the vocation of Priesthood and studied at Pedu: 1979 – 1986. After ordination in 1986, he served at Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church under Fr. A. Turbek and Fr. Andrew Campbell and
later confirmed as the Parish Priest of Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church –
Mamprobi.

He was later transferred to the Sacred Heart Parish in 1999 – 2012. He combined Hospital Chaplaincy with Parish work. He was finally posted to Holy Family Catholic Church in residency and the KorleBu Teaching Hospital till his retirement at Star of the Sea Parish. He served under the late Archbishop Andoh, Archbishop Charles Palmer-Buckle and Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie CSSPs all of Accra Archdiocese.

About Msgr. Peter Kofi Atsu

Msgr. Peter Kofi Atsu was born on 15th April 1955, at Akweteman, Accra.
He attended Achimota Anglican Primary School (1961-1966), Apenkwa Shiayennoh (1966 – 1971), St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School (1971 – 1976), St. Thomas Aquinas Physics Laboratory Assistant (1976-1977), St. Thomas Acquinas Secondary School – Sixth form (1977 – 1979)

He also attended the Institute of Languages (to study French) – 1980 – 1981and worked at the University of Ghana, Legon – Balm Library (1981 – 1983)

He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu – Cape Coast
(1983 – 1989)

He was ordained a priest on 23 July 1989 and posted to  Our Lady of  Mercy, Tema Community 1 (1989
September – 1992 September)

He is currently the Dean of the Kaneshie Deanery.

Watch the ceremony of investiture below