His Lordship Most Rev. Peter Atuahene, Catholic Bishop of Goaso, launched the Year of Mercy in a colourful celebration with Priests and Religious working in the Diocese, Lay Leaders of the Parishes and Societies, at St. Anthony Cathedral, Goaso. During the ceremony, Francis Ayana, a seminarian, was ordained a deacon and also in attendance were the relatives and friends of the ordinandi.
According to the Bishop, Pope Francis launched his yearlong push for a global Catholic Church of mercy and forgiveness. The Jubilee year started with the opening of the holy door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on December 8, 2015, and the year is calling for a church that always puts mercy before judgment. The Bishop quoting the Pope said “a jubilee year is a special year called by the Catholic Church to receive blessings and pardon from God and remission of our sins.... And to enter through the Holy door means to rediscover the deepness of the mercy of the Father who welcomes all and goes out to meet everyone personally”. While most Jubilees had focused on calling pilgrims to come to Rome to receive such pardon, Pope Francis has widely expanded this Jubilee, asking that dioceses throughout the world open their own holy door at a cathedral or other church of their choice to expand the practice globally.
The seven-Member Committee responsible for the implementation of the Year of Mercy assisted the Bishop to launch the programme. Four members carried the Diocesan Banner in procession through the Cathedral Door to the Sanctuary. The Chairman of the Committee, Rev. Dr. Owusu Addo, explained the symbolism of the Logo. According to him the image of the logo is that of the Universal Church. It shows a man who is quite strong, in the person of Jesus Christ, who has shouldered a weak person representing the weak, the rejected, and the sick and the man has given them rest. The church is seen here as personified in the weak, in the rejected, and in the neglected. Therefore, the church is asking us that in the course of year of mercy we be merciful as our heavenly Father is merciful. And the Diocese of Goaso has added that “Blessed are the Merciful for they shall be shown mercy” (Mt. 5:7).
Following the directives from the Holy Father for the Jubilee:
The Bishop has designated Goaso and Bechem Churches as the Diocesan Jubilee Year of Mercy Centres.
Jubilee candles were lighted by the Bishop and all those present from which the faithful and members they represented would light their individual candles to renew their Baptismal Vows.
Every church is to pray the Jubilee of Mercy Prayer every Sunday before the Post Communion Prayer
Every church and every home are to display the Jubilee Year of Mercy Logo
The Bishop appealed to all and sundry, to participate fully in the yearlong programme of activities outlined for the societies, churches, parishes and the Diocese as a whole.
Reported by Rev. Fr. Isaac Boansi (DEPSOCOM Director – Goaso)
Year of Mercy Banner for the Diocese Year of Mercy Sticker for Homes and Workplaces The Bishop and his Priests Lit Year of Mercy Candle