His Excellency, Archbishop Julien Kaboré Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana has exhorted Consecrated Persons in Ghana to be happy as befits their vocation, saying that “Sadness and Bitterness are not compatible with Religious Life.
He made this remark in a homily on February 2, 2025, the Day for the Consecrated Life, instituted by Pope John Paul II in 1997, which was also the climax of the National Jubilee Year Celebration for the Consecrated Persons in Ghana, at the Christ the King Cathedral, Suyani Diocese, in the Bono Region.
Reflecting on the Readings for the day, the Nuncio underlined the fact that Mary and Joseph had set out to observe what was written in the Law not out of compulsion, but joyfully, hence, the soul-searching questions: “Do you delight in the Law of God expressed in the Constitutions of your Institute? Do we delight in the will of God?” he challenged.
His Excellency further underscored the ultimate goal of the Religious Life, which is the following of Christ, saying that those who follow Christ must imitate his humility and obedience.
“Trust and obey for your visible sign of wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit, is joy. Sadness and bitterness are not compatible with religious life,” he entreated.
Mindful of the inevitability of conflicts in religious communities, which sometimes prevent religious from being joyful, the Nuncio outlined three ways by which Religious persons can overcome such conflicts, which included members cherishing their initial moment of encounter with the Lord, recognizing the wisdom of the elderly, and contemplating the face of the Crucified and Risen Christ.
The Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference and Bishop of Sunyani Diocese, at the end of the 4-day Jubilee Celebration, under the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope: a time to Renew the Face of the Earth as Consecrated Persons” reminded the religious of the need to return to the age-long practice of teaching catechism to children and adults at their various places of work, and any other way they can help to address the alarming decline of Catholic population in Ghana.
All Consecrated Persons present at the Mass of the Presentation of the Lord were privileged to renew their Vows, with lighted candles, received by His Excellency Archbishop Julien and Most Rev. Matthew in the name of the Church, and were symbolically sent on mission, with the candle of Hope, handed to the leaders from each of the Dioceses.
The Presentation Mass officiated by His Excellency Archbishop Kaboré, was graced by the Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu SVD, Bishop of Ho- Diocese and the Vice President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate and the Bishop responsible for the religious in Ghana, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, C.S.Sp, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra Archdiocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordzi, SVD, Bishop of Keta- Akatsi Diocese, who were all honoured for their participation at the celebration.
By Sr Bridget Kator SMMC (Sister Communicator)
