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The Damongo Diocesan Laity Council (DLC)
held its 2021 diocesan plenary assembly
meetings at the unity center on 18th
December, 2021, in Damongo under the theme; ‘The Word of GOD; Christian formation for transformation in Ghana’.
The laity mean all faithfuls except those in holy order and those in the state of religious life specially approved by the church.
Due to their baptism, they are members
of God’s family, the church, and they grow in
intimate union with God, “in” and “by means”
of the world.
The Chairperson of the Damongo Diocesan laity council, Mr. Beyuoh L. Vitus in his welcome
address stated that the laity by virtue of baptism and confirmation is mandated to propagate the word of God. He reiterated that, the word of God should not be seem to be limited to the priest only; we the lay have a role to play in the propagation of the word of God.
Touching on the practice of homosexuals (LGBTQ+), he said it is against natural laws hence and should be condemned by all well meaning Ghanaians and called on parishes to stand against it.
Mr. Beyuoh also urged participants to take part in the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination and observe
the protocol as well during the festive
season.
Delivering his keynote address, Most Rev. Peter Paul Y. Angkyier said this year’s theme “reflects
on the word of God as the source of Christian
formation and the power that can transform our
lives as Christians and Disciples of Christ”. At
the Centre of every Christian is Christ himself.
Speaking about the mission of the Laity, Most Rev Peter Paul Angkyier stated that, “the laity are called to participate actively in the whole life of the church, not only to animate the world with the spirit of Christianity, but they are to be witnesses to Christ in all circumstances and at the very heart of the community of mankind (GS 43).
Christians in general and the laity in particular are to be salt and light in the temporal order through various
professional lives, teachers, nurses, lawyers, field of business, politicians, doctors as well as
family life.
In letting members know the impact of the
word, Most Rev. Angkyier stated four ways in
which the word of God can bring transformation
into our lives; Revisiting the small Christian
community concepts, Catechetical instructions,
Biblical apostolate and School Apostolate.
Most Rev Angkyier, Reiterate the fact that
God’s word offers us the opportunity to
form and deepen our faith and called on
members to unite, to be actively involve and
participate in church activities and come
together as one to ensure development of the church.
Various parishes and societies present, took
terms to deliver their annual reports at the
Plenary Assembly indicating activities carried out within the period under review.
The presentation of the various reports
indicated clearly that, parishes and societies
encountered similar challenges ranging from
commitment to attending meetings, financial inadequacy, Covid-19 etc.
The reports from the various parishes and
societies also suggested measures to put in place as way forward such as, continuous sensitization
of members to be committed and participate in
meetings, change of attitude, and organizing
fundraising activities, encouraging non attached parishners to identify a society within the parish and get attach to, build a cordial relationship
among societies in the various parishes.
The diocesan laity council comprises of thirteen (13) parishes and representatives from the various societies in the diocese.
Below are parishes and year of establishment.
St. Ann’s Cathedral Damongo (1955), Martyrs of Uganda-Bole (1965), Holy Trinity Sawla
(1994), Good shepherd Tuna (1979), St.Theresa
of The Child Jesus Canteen (2005), Christ the king Tinga(2001), St. Anthony of Padua
Bamboi (1994), Our Lady Assumption Quesi
Kalba (2008), St. Peter’s Lingbinsi (1996), St.
Francis Xavier Yapei (1998), Holy Family
Quasi Kulmasa (2014) and Our Lady Queen of
Peace Buipe(2008).
New executives of the Diocesan Laity Council
members were elected at the Plenary Assembly.
The newly elected members include;
John Bosco P. Kabieyi- Chairperson,
Madam Evelyn Nabia- Secretary,
Adam Alhassan Shaibu Gabriel- Vice Secretary,
Madam Irene Mama Atanga- Financial Secretary.
DEANARY CHAIRPERSONS:
Damongo Deanary- Madam Rolanda Ayi Mahama,
Bole Deanary- Mr Peter Kaleo
Tuna Deanary- Mr Samuel Quaye
Lingbinsi Deanary- Mr Tigwe Lazarus
Chaplain- Rev Fr. Theodulus Tanti
Lay Director- Mr Peter Baapele.
The Deanary Chairpersons doubles as the DLC Vice Chairpersons.
The new executives will serve for three (3) years in office with the exception of the Lay Director and Chaplain which are appointed positions by the Bishop.
Source:padfm.com.gh / Edwin Gogu
