The Catholic bishop of Damongo, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuome Angkyier on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 arrived in Bole in the Savannah region to begin a six-day pastoral visit to the Martyrs of Uganda pastoral area of the diocese of Damongo.
It was a joyous moment as parishioners came out in their numbers in the principal streets of Bole amidst police escort to welcome their chief shepherd. The event was colorful with groups and associations in the parish decked in their respective guilds attires.
The pastoral visit of the bishop is in compliance with Canon 396.1 of the canon law which states: “A bishop is obliged to visit the diocese annually either in whole or in part so that he visits the entire diocese at least every five years either personally or if he has been legitimately impeded, through the coadjutor bishop, an auxiliary, vicar general, episcopal vicar, or another presbytery.”
Upon arrival, Most Rev. Angkyier was symbolically offered a calabash of water to quench his thirst after a stressful journey and a bouquet of flowers as a symbol of joy and pleasure and later offered a crucifix which he kissed and blessed the teaming congregation with holy water before entering the the church for adoration of the blessed sacrament.
Giving an exhortation from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Most Rev. Angkyier charged the faithful to let the Eucharist define for them what they have to live and do. Quoting from teachings of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, Rev. Angkyier stated that the Eucharist is both the “source and summit of Christian spirituality.” It is the source of Christian spirituality in that, as Christ Himself and as the sacramental of Christ’s Sacrifice on the cross, the Eucharist is in Christ through the Spirit us.
Giving a welcome address after the adoration and exhortation, the parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Annyereh described the visit of the bishop as unique since it did not only fall within the octave of Easter, but it is also the beginning of the mission week.
Fr. Annyereh disclosed that the Martyrs of Uganda pastoral area consists of twenty-three (23) outstations and three (3) institutions.
The youth according to Fr. Annyereh are getting more involved in the parish pastoral activities. He commended his parishioners for their dedication and collective generosity towards giving the church building a facelift without any external support.
The bishop in the subsequent days shall visit the the paramount chief of Bole, the District Chief Executive(DCE), some selected institutions and outstations including groups and associations in the parish.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Hassan Boniface
0243371516/Bole
