Source: Edwin Gogu/padfm.com.gh
On June 29, 2024, the Catholic Diocese of Damongo came together to bid farewell to H.E. Most Rev. Henryk M. Jagodzinski, the outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana.
The occasion was graced with a special farewell Mass, coinciding with the solemn celebration of the Solemnity of St. Peter and Paul, two pillars of the Catholic Church. The event was marked by a deep sense of gratitude, gifts and a heartfelt send-off for Archbishop Jagodzinski, who has been appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa and Lesotho.
In a welcome address, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezoume Angkyier, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Damongo, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. He drew a parallel between national heroes and the Saints Peter and Paul, who are celebrated for their dedication and courageous witness to the faith.
Bishop Angkyier highlighted the importance of remembering and honouring such great Apostles of the Church, as they embody the values that keep communities united and strong; St. Peter who was chosen by the Lord to be Leader of the Church and given the task to preach the Gospel especially among the Jewish Communities. And St. Paul who became the chosen instrument of God to bring the Good News to the whole world.
Bishop Angkyier expressed gratitude to His Excellency Jagodzinski’s service in Ghana, noting his significant contributions since his arrival on September 8th, 2020.
The Apostolic Nuncio’s pastoral visits, including his two visits to Damongo in August 2021 and December 2023, were particularly remembered. His engagement with the local church, including the inauguration of the Stations of the Cross at the Diocesan Pilgrimage Centre in Our Lady of Annunciation Grotto, Sonyo, left an indelible mark on the entire Catholic Faithful of the Diocese.
In his homily, His Excellency Jagodzinski reflected on the profound significance of the day, celebrating the lives of Sts. Peter and Paul, who laid the foundation of the Church.
He expressed his deep appreciation for the friendship and cooperation he received from Bishop Angkyier, the Priests, Religious and the Faithful of the Diocese.
The Nuncio acknowledged the challenges faced by the priests and laity in their mission of proclaiming the Gospel and administering the Sacraments, assuring them of Christ’s reward for their dedication.
His Excellency, Jagodzinski also shared a personal note of gratitude, recalling his various visits to the Diocese and the hospitality he received. He thanked the Faithful of Diocese for their steadfast faith and witness to Christ, emphasizing that they would always hold a special place in his heart.
The Nuncio reiterated the timeless message of the Apostles Peter and Paul, urging the faithful to remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to Christ. He reminded them of the crucial question posed by Jesus: “Who do you say that I am?” This question, he stressed, demands a personal and life-transforming response from each believer.
In concluding his homily, His Excellency Jagodzinski invoked the words of Pope Francis, encouraging everyone to renew their commitment to Jesus not just in words but through their actions and lives. In the Process of conversion, both Apostles experienced the gratuitous compassion and forgiveness of the Lord. They are our ancestors in the faith, the ones who have handed over to us the message of life.
He blessed the congregation, praying for a strengthened faith and inspired Christian witness.
The farewell Mass was a poignant reminder of the unity and continuity within the Catholic Church, built on the foundation laid by the Apostles and sustained through the dedicated service of its leaders and faithful. As His Excellency Jagodzinski prepares for his new mission in South Africa and Lesotho, the Diocese of Damongo sends him forth with heartfelt prayers and blessings for a fruitful ministry.
The farewell Mass, imbued with the spirit of gratitude and hope, was a fitting tribute to His Excellency Jagodzinski’s impactful service in Ghana. The event underscored the ever-loving bond between the Nuncio and the local church in the Diocese and Ghana as a whole, a bond that will continue to inspire and strengthen the community for years to come.
