On March 28, 2026, the Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, preaching a Lenten recollection for Men and Women Religious at Nsuatre, Amanfoso Grotto in the Sunyani Diocese, intimated that the Church of God lives forever; hence, nobody can destroy it.
In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Gyamfi emphatically proclaimed that the church of God lives forever and nobody can destroy it. Speaking in concordance with the gospel of the day, he shared a story from the time of the Second World War, when a king told the Apostolic Nuncio that he intended to destroy the church. The Nuncio replied, “Good luck,” noting that Priests and Religious had attempted to destroy the Church in the past but had failed.
He referenced an ancient Greek story about a bird called the phoenix that is neither male nor female and only lives for 50 years. This bird produces offspring that are also neither male nor female. On its 50th birthday, it stands on dry twigs and burns itself to ashes, from which a new bird emerges. Using this story, the bishop urged men and women religious to let go of their old selves in favor of renewal.
He cited another example using a seed, emphasizing that “no venture, no gain.” To become holy, one must take risks. He encouraged them to reflect on how far they have come with the commitments they made at the beginning of Lent. Whether they have burned the things they said they would let go of, or are they afraid to make that sacrifice?
“The choice is yours to become a holy Sister, Priest, or Brother. It is never too late to start the process of transformation,” encouraging them by referencing the penitent thief on the cross, who was promised heaven.
“God’s grace is always enough; just take the first step,” he added.
He admonished the Religious Men and Women never to say they cannot change, as he believes that is a manifestation of pride, which is always present.
He emphasized that if you cannot let go of anything in your life, it means there can be no Easter for you. Easter is not merely about external celebrations, but about internal joys.
The church cannot be destroyed, but we, the temples of the Holy Spirit we need to destroy certain things to take possession of that which is consecrated as the church that is consecrated. He urged the religious to empty their lives of pride, which is the mother of all sins and never sleeps. As Jesus did, though he was one with God, he never claimed equality with God.
Bishop Gyamfi concelebrated the Holy Eucharist with three other religious priests and one Diocesan priest, who is the parish priest of Nsuatre and manages the Amanfoso Grotto.
After the celebration of the holy Eucharist, Bishop Gyamfi acknowledged the hard work of the Religious in the Diocese while urging them to prioritize faith formation of the youth in the diocese.
He advised that every Catholic Institution especially the schools, should feature a chapel in their plan, stating that the Religious who came as missionaries ensured this, which is going down with the new wave of evangelization in the diocese.
He further charged the Men and Women Religious to teach catechisms in all the catholic schools and prepare candidates for Baptism, first communion, and confirmation.
He believed that the foundation of the youth, when formed well, will make them firm in exercising their faith, and so the religious were tasked to get involved in the year of the youth activities using the Youth Catechism for faith formation as the Diocese celebrates the year of the youth.
Bishop Gyamfi also reminded and encouraged the Religious to be visible to the public by ensuring that all their billboards have Catholic written boldly on top for easy identification by the public.
He said the Catholic institutions are poorly visible to the general public.
By Sr. Esther Kutie SVI (Catholic Sister Communicators Network- Ghana – CASCON-GH)
