The Catholic Bishop of the Damongo Diocese, Most Rev Peter Paul Y. Angkyier has stated that the ordination of a new priest for the church is a gift of a vocation and a blessing to befall the church through their ministry.
The Bishop made the stated during his homily at the St Anne’s cathedral Church in Damongo during the ordination of Deacon Rev. Fr. Rutilos Logyaa Nyong as a Catholic priest on Saturday, 24th June, 2023 as part of the processes to accomplish God’s mission in the Diocese as a precursor of the Lord.
Most Rev. Peter Paul Y. Angkyier also used the event to express his gratitude to Rev. Rutilos for making himself available to be ordained to serve God’s people and to build the kingdom of God in the light of the word of God.
He also noted that, being an ordained priest in the Catholic Church is a sign of God’s love and therefore worthy enough to collaborate with him in his mission, adding that a priest is one that is chosen and sets apart for God’s work as a prophet and teacher, sighting God communicating with Jeremiah saying “before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you came to birth I consecrated you; I appointed you as prophet to the nations”.
The Bishop’s homily which was centered on Jeremiah said “when God called Jeremiah, the immediate response of the prophet was hesitation and feeling of inadequacy to accept his mission” and therefore called on the newly ordained priest not to hesitate to accept the choice of God, “Rutilos do not hesitate to accept the choice of God and responsibility arising from your call, God assures you of his presence and support” He added.
He further stated that a priest is a man called to bear witness, preach the gospel, shepherd God’s people and the Liturgy. “The situation of the society today is very confusing.
He also noted that there is a lot of religious exploitation among christians today due to ignorance and the struggle for meaningful life, adding that as shepherds, they have the responsibility to listen to the faithful, to support them to deal with their difficult challenges.
Also on the challenges of the mission, Most Rev. Peter Paul Y. Angkyier said the “resistance of the people of God to accept the word of God and it’s demands, growing individualism and lack of interest for the common good, materialism and the strong crave for material prosperity” are challenges in the mission.
He expressed his gratitude to the Rev Rutilos Logyaa Nyong, the parents and family members for allowing their son to serve God and the church “I thank you, parents and family for allowing your son to choose this way of life to serve the church, he also extended his thanks to the formation team of St Victor’s Major Seminary and the Pontifical International Seminary, Sedes Sapientiae in Rome” in shaping the life of Rev. Fr Rutilos.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Gogu Edwin
