New Priests in Accra charged to change dwindling Catholic population

In an attempt to address the recent decrease in Catholic population in Ghana, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra has challenged newly ordained priests in the Archdiocese to address the dwindling Catholic population during their ministry.

During the ordination of 12 new priests, Archbishop Kwofie emphasized the urgent need for dedicated laborers in the vineyard of the Lord, drawing inspiration from the Gospel of Luke (10:1-12).

He said, “The harvest is rich but the laborers are few”. I think our society can say more of this than at the time of Jesus. At each ordination, we send out more disciples of Christ. We say to them, “Go ye afar, go teach all nations”. We also pray for vocations to the priesthood, religious life and a chaste married life.

”Archbishop Kwofie acknowledged the decline in Catholic population, particularly among the youth, urging the newly ordained to change the situation, saying, “…but the number of our church membership, especially the youth, has dwindled at our census. This is a charge for you – come and change it!”

The Archbishop also highlighted a trend where individuals express faith in God while distancing themselves from the church .

He noted, “We live in the era when people say, “I believe in God, but I don’t believe in any Church”, “I do all humanitarian works or the works of mercy such as bringing food to the hungry and clothing the naked but I don’t go to Church”.

“I work out my salvation in fear and trembling but I don’t go to Church.”

He however emphasized the importance of community in the church noting that, “We go to church to worship God with other believers. With them we form a community. The example of my life can be a vehicle to help you go to heaven”.

Citing the early Christians in Acts 2:42, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie explained that faith in God also involves “teaching, community prayers and the breaking of bread.”

Archbishop Kwofie also encouraged the new priests to “brighten the corner where we are,” referring to the priesthood as an honor bestowed upon them.

By: Veronica Sena Amenya.