Thousands of Catholics, including Priests, Religious Men and Women, and lay faithful from the Wa Diocese living, working and studying in the Sunyani Diocese, gathered at Christ the King Cathedral, Sunyani, on Sunday, September 20, 2026, to climax the pastoral visit of the Bishop of Wa, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., to Catholics from the Wa Diocese resident in Sunyani.
The Eucharistic celebration brought together a large number of faithful from the Wa Diocese who are resident in the Sunyani Diocese, as well as members of the Sunyani Diocesan Catholic community.
The occasion provided an opportunity for the faithful to reconnect with their home Diocese, strengthen their bonds of faith and community, and celebrate their identity as Catholics from Wa Diocese even while living away from home.
The scene at the Christ the King Cathedral in Sunyani was a remarkable one, as people from different parts of the Wa Diocese residing in Sunyani trooped to the Cathedral in large numbers to welcome their Bishop and participate in the Eucharistic celebration.
The Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., Bishop of Wa, and concelebrated by Priests from the Wa Diocese who are currently in Sunyani, together with Priests of Christ the King Cathedral Parish.
A significant number of Religious Men and Women from the Wa Diocese, including those working and studying within the Sunyani Diocese, were also present.
Their participation added a strong sense of communion and solidarity to the celebration.
Bishop Bomansaan recalls his ordination
In his homily, Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan expressed his profound gratitude to the faithful for the warm reception and welcome accorded him throughout his pastoral visit.
Reflecting on the large gathering before him, the Bishop said the sight reminded him of his own ordination, particularly the joy and excitement he experienced when he saw a large crowd gathered to welcome him.
Drawing lessons from the Scripture readings of the day, Bishop Bomansaan reminded the faithful that God’s plans and purposes cannot be frustrated by human beings.
He stressed that what God has destined to happen will ultimately come to pass, emphasising the fundamental difference between God and humanity.
“Humans cannot be God and God is not man,” he reminded the congregation, explaining that human thoughts and plans cannot be compared with the wisdom and knowledge of God.
According to the Bishop, God knows what He is doing in the life of every individual and has a mission and purpose for each person.
He, therefore, cautioned the faithful against attempting to determine the future of others or judging people solely on the basis of their present circumstances.
He encouraged the faithful to give one another the benefit of the doubt and to be willing to give people second chances rather than writing them off because of their mistakes, weaknesses or difficult circumstances.
The Bishop’s message was also a call to trust in God’s providence and to remain patient with one another, recognizing that God’s plan for a person may not always be immediately visible to human beings.
Bishop calls for unity among the faithful
Most Rev. Bomansaan further called on the faithful from the Wa Diocese living in Sunyani to remain united and continue supporting one another.
He urged them to carry one another along, stressing the importance of solidarity, especially among people living away from their home communities.
He encouraged them to continue working together for the growth of the Church and to support one another in their various endeavours.
The Bishop also challenged the faithful from the Wa Diocese in Sunyani to represent their home diocese well through their commitment to the Catholic faith and through their Christian witness.
He urged them to remain active and committed members of the Church wherever they find themselves, while contributing positively to the growth of both the Church in Sunyani and their home Diocese of Wa.
Cathedral Administrator reminds faithful of their responsibility to Wa Diocese
The Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Joseph Domfeh, also addressed the gathering and reminded the faithful from the Wa Diocese that living in Sunyani should not make them forget their roots.
He acknowledged the important contributions they are making to the growth of the Church in the Sunyani Diocese but encouraged them not to become so comfortable in their new environment that they neglect the needs of their home diocese.
Fr. Domfeh emphasised that the Wa Diocese continues to need their support and contributions.
He therefore encouraged them to maintain strong links with their home diocese while at the same time continuing to contribute to the development of the Church in Sunyani.
He noted that their presence in Sunyani provides them with an opportunity to build bridges between the two dioceses and to contribute to the growth of the universal Church through their service, faith and commitment.
Religious from Wa Diocese unite with the faithful
The presence of numerous Religious Men and Women from the Wa Diocese who are working, studying and undertaking various apostolates in the Sunyani Diocese was another significant feature of the celebration.
Their participation demonstrated the strong bonds that continue to exist between the people of the Wa Diocese and those living outside the Diocese.
For many of the faithful, the pastoral visit provided an opportunity to encounter their Bishop personally, renew their connection with their home diocese and celebrate their faith together with fellow Catholics from Wa.
The celebration also highlighted the importance of Catholic communities in the diaspora maintaining their identity and supporting one another while actively participating in the life of the local Church where they reside.
Pastoral visit concludes with Eucharistic celebration
The pastoral visit began with the arrival of Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., in Sunyani on September 18, 2026.
He was welcomed by priests and religious from the Wa Diocese, together with some lay faithful.
On September 19, the Bishop held an interactive session with opinion leaders, delegates, and religious men and women from the Wa Diocese living in Sunyani.
The session provided an opportunity for dialogue, sharing and reflection on the experiences and responsibilities of the Wa faithful living outside their home diocese.
The pastoral visit reached its climax on Sunday, 20 September, with the Eucharistic celebration at Christ the King Cathedral, Sunyani.
The large gathering of Priests, Religious Men and Women and lay faithful from the Wa Diocese, together with members of the Sunyani Diocese, made the celebration a memorable expression of faith, unity, communion and solidarity.
The celebration ended with a renewed call for the faithful to remain united, support one another, remain committed to their Catholic faith and continue contributing to the growth of both the Church in Sunyani and their home Diocese of Wa.
The pastoral visit therefore served not only as an occasion for the Bishop to meet his people outside the geographical boundaries of the Wa Diocese, but also as an opportunity to strengthen their sense of belonging, responsibility and communion with their home Church.
By Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ
Catholic Sister Communicators Network-Ghana (CASCON-GH)
