Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, the Catholic Bishop of Goaso Diocese, recently ordained five deacons for service in the Lord’s vineyard during an impressive Eucharistic celebration at the Holy Family Catholic Chaplaincy, JOSCO at Bechem.
The Deacons are: Revds. Emmanuel Asante Wiredu, Elisha Manu, Benjamin Danso, Sixtus Kyei Kusi and Joaking Bonsu.
In a homily, Bishop Atuahene expressed his profound gratitude to God for the gift of vocation to the young men and thanked the deacons and their families for generously responding to God’s call.
Bishop Atuahene noted that the modern society with all its attractions and distractions was posing a big challenge to a life of dedication and service and urged the Deacons to strive to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer and meditation.
He stressed that they should be careful not to fall into the trap of materialism which had become a canker in the society.
Most Rev. Atuahene explained that celibacy is a sign of pastoral charity and an inspiration to it, stressing that it is a source of spiritual fruitfulness in the world, which predisposes the celibates to be of service wholeheartedly to God’s people.
He entreated the Deacons to exercise their ministry committed to the celibate state stressing that as Deacons, they were no longer marriageable.
Bishop said that as Deacons, they would preside over public prayers, administer baptism, assist at and bless marriages, bring viaticum to the dying and conduct funeral services.
He added that as Ministers of the Altar, they would proclaim the Gospel, prepare the sacrifice, and distribute Communion to the faithful.
The Ordinandi were presented for Ordination by Rev. Fr. Joseph Yeboah, a priest of the Diocese, a Lecturer and Formator at St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu.
In his welcome address, Rev. Fr. Martin Yaw Adjei, the Chaplain, said the event was the first since the inception of the Chaplaincy and expressed profound gratitude to the Bishop for the honour done them.
The Ordination ceremony was attended by scores of Priests including Very Rev. Fr. James Owusu-Yeboah, the Regional Superior of the Society of African Missions (SMA), Rev. Fr. Nicholas Afriyie, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat (NCS), Religious, Seminarians, the faithful and families of the Deacons.
Bishop Atuahene with the Deacons