Most Rev. Peter Kwaku Atuahene, Catholic Bishop of Goaso has ordained four deacons to the priesthood at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Tanoso, Yamfo Parish.
Three of the newly ordained – Rev. Anthony Kwabena Appiah Yeboah, from Tanoso; Rev. Luke Patrick Effah Gyau from Susuanso; and Rev. Sylvester Baffour Awuah, from Susuanso – all belong to St. Anthony’s Parish, Yamfo. These three deacons were the pioneers of St. Gregory the Great Provincial Seminary at Parkoso where they had their spirituality, Philosophical and Theological Studies. The fourth deacon, Rev. Dominic Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, however, had his spirituality and Philosophy studies at St. Paul’s Catholic Seminary, Sowutuom, Accra, and then went to St. Peter’s Regional Seminary, Pedu, Cape Coast where he studied Theology.
Goaso Diocese started as a Diocese in 1998 with eighteen (18) priests and now with the ordination of these four young men, the Diocese can boast of sixty five (65) with three priests being deceased. The ordination Mass was concelebrated by scores of priests from the diocese and beyond. Among them were the NUGDPA President, Rev. Dr. Appiah Kubi; a formator from Parkoso, V. Rev Fr. Thomas Poku; Nananom; Government Officials; Families; Benefactors, and several hundreds of the Lay Faithful.
The Bishop in his homily appealed to families to be generous to God by encouraging their young ones to embrace priestly and religious life; especially not to stop the females whenever they expressed their desire to embrace the religious vocation. He cautioned the relatives and all not to be demanding but to keep supporting their priests at all times.
He appealed to the priests to be humble and to show dedication in their priestly ministry through visitations, teachings, catechesis, counseling, retreats, meetings, workshops, personal prayer and meditations. “God sees something great in each one of you” he added, and that is why he has chosen you. So through prayer and meditation find out that gift and use it as your guide to serve the church and the people of God in unique ways for His greater glory.
Bishop Atuahene also appealed to the senior priests to use their wisdom and experience to accept and guide the newly ordained as they begin the school of life. He called for oneness among the priests.
He encouraged the youth to follow the example of the deacons and persevere in all their endeavors.
Submitted by Rev Fr. Isaac Boansi