Archbishop Kwofie Urges Prayers for Faithful Departed on All Souls’ Day
The Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie CSSp, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, during his pastoral visit to St. Monica Catholic Church in Adjiringano on All Souls’ Day, has called on all faithful to prioritize prayers for the deceased, stressing their ongoing need for divine mercy.
In his homily, the Archbishop noted that the faithful departed are in constant need of mercy and has called on all to pray for them.
He said, “We commemorate all the faithful departed. From this time last year, some of our faithful have joined their ancestors. We pray for them and those pending from past celebrations that they rest peacefully in the Lord, the merciful Judge.”
He explained that the dead cannot pray for themselves and urged all to “suspend everything we are doing and turn our focus on them,” stressing their constant need for mercy.
Drawing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Kwofie outlined the afterlife, stating, “Some go to heaven because they lived a life of grace, and some go to hell because they lived a life of disgrace. However, those who did not commit too serious sins go to purgatory so that they would be cleansed by prayers, and join their brothers and sisters in heaven, where there is no weeping and no sorrow but joy forever. They therefore have the “joy of heaven”
He warned of the struggle between good and evil, with Satan representing evil and God the good, urging Christians to choose righteousness to avoid loss to Satan.
“Jesus does not want anyone to be lost to Satan because Satan is in charge of all evils. What Jesus wants is all of us as believers of God. What we must do is to avoid giving a chance to Satan, because to do evil or do good is a choice we make”, he said.
In addition, he highlighted forgiveness as essential for heaven, saying, “If you do not forgive when your brother or sister wrongs you, there is no way you will find your way to heaven”.
He also reminded that “whether we are alive or dead, we belong to the Lord and encouraged all to “surrender ourselves to the Lord of mercy.”
By: Veronica Sena Amenya
