Bishop Louis Calls Youth to Spiritual Purification
The Most Rev. John Kobina Louis, Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra at the World Youth Day Celebration, Accra Version in Kordiabe, has urged Catholic Youth to allow God “cleanse their inner temples,” just as the ancient Temple in Jerusalem was purified and restored after desecration.
During the opening Mass of the celebration, Most Rev. John Kobina Louis reflected on the first reading, highlighting the rededication of the Temple under Judas Maccabeus to illustrate the Christian’s need for renewal.
He noted that young people today often struggle with spiritual distractions that weaken their faith and compromise their moral direction.
Bishop Louis listed some of these challenges, including negative peer pressure, hidden sin, addictions, double lifestyles, gossip, and moral compromise.
He warned that such habits create “spiritual noise” that prevent the youth from hearing the voice of God clearly.
Linking his message to the day’s Marian memorial, he said Mary serves as the perfect example of a pure and consecrated heart.
“What the Maccabees did by restoring the Temple, and what Jesus did by cleansing it, God did in an even more beautiful way in Mary,” he noted.
Bishop Louis encouraged the youth to take advantage of the WYD gathering to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, confession, meditation on Scripture, and genuine fellowship with one another.
He stressed that true discipleship requires intentional spiritual discipline.
The WYD celebration continues with sessions aimed at helping the youth strengthen their Catholic faith and moral identity in a rapidly changing world.
By: Vanessa Kekeli Yeboah//Newswatchgh.com
