The 45th Plenary Assembly of the National Catholic Laity Council (NCLC) was convened at the Damongo Unity Centre, running from Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14, 2024.
This significant gathering brought together delegates from across the nation to deliberate on the theme: “Fostering the Growth of the Catholic Church in Ghana through Collaborative Ministry.”
In his opening remarks, Professor Elias Sowley, Chairman of the National Laity Council, underscored the pivotal role of baptism and the lay apostolate in fulfilling the mission entrusted to the Church by God.
Prof. Sowley highlighted the foundational significance of baptism in the vocation of the laity, emphasizing its dual effect of incorporating individuals into Christ and constituting them as the people of God. He noted that baptism not only unites believers with Christ but also empowers them to actively participate in the Church’s mission.
Reflecting on the historical development of the Church’s perspective on the laity, Prof. Sowley pointed out the shift from a predominantly clerical focus before the Second Vatican Council to an acknowledgment of the indispensable role of lay faithful in the post-conciliar era. Citing documents such as Lumen Gentium and Sacrosanctum Concilium, he emphasized the special and essential contribution of the laity to the Church’s apostolic activities.
Drawing from Holy Scripture, Prof. Sowley illustrated the significant involvement of lay apostles in the early Church, highlighting their collaboration with the apostles, particularly St. Paul, in advancing the ministry of the Church.
He called upon contemporary lay faithful to exhibit a fervent zeal in serving the Church, especially in light of the increasing challenges and opportunities in today’s world.
Addressing the contemporary landscape, Prof. Sowley emphasized the expanding role of the laity in various fields, including science, technology, politics, and healthcare. He stressed the critical importance of Catholic health workers in navigating complex ethical issues such as euthanasia, family planning, and transgender issues, where their expertise and faith formation enable them to discern and act in accordance with Church teachings.
Prof. Sowley also highlighted the urgent need for lay expertise in addressing the myriad of human problems faced by society today, reaffirming the vital role of the laity in advancing the Church’s mission of evangelization and service to humanity.
Very Rev. Martin M. Muosayir, Vicar General of the host Diocese ( Damongo Diocese ) in a welcome address on behalf of the Bishop expressed gratitude to attendees, highlighting the crucial nature of their reflection on collaborative ministry for church growth. Very Rev. Muosayir underscored the missionary nature of the Church and the importance of revitalizing evangelization efforts, particularly among the laity.
Reflecting on the history and demographics of the Damongo Diocese, the Vicar General emphasized its role as an area of primary evangelization, with a diverse cultural landscape and a predominantly rural population.
Despite challenges, the diocese according to him, has seen significant growth in infrastructure and human capacity, attributing much of this progress to collaborative efforts between clergy, religious and lay faithful.
The keynote address was delivered by Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Apostolic Vicar of Donkorkrom and Episcopal Co-Chair of Laity and Youth.
Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu highlighted the decline in the Catholic population in Ghana and called for renewed commitment to collaborative ministry to reverse this trend.
He commended the active involvement of lay faithful in various ministries and urged them to play their part in building the Kingdom of God on earth.
Addressing the role and mandate of the laity, He emphasized their equal dignity with the clergy and their responsibility to actively participate in the mission of the Church. Drawing from Vatican II documents, he underscored the indispensable role of the laity in the Church’s mission and encouraged them to exhibit fervent zeal in their apostolate.
The assembly also explored the rights and responsibilities of the laity, including their obligation to maintain communion with the Church, proclaim the Gospel, express their opinions, support the Church financially and contribute to the common good.
Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu concluded by urging attendees of the 45th National laity council plenary Assembly to reflect on the constitution of the NCLC and encouraged them to actively engage in fruitful deliberations during the plenary assembly.
The 45th Plenary Assembly of the NCLC concluded with a renewed commitment to collaborative ministry and a shared vision for fostering the growth of the Catholic Church in Ghana.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
