On Saturday, 6th August, Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum ordained six Deacons into the Priesthood for the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua in a colourful ceremony at Santa Barbara Catholic Church, Akosombo. The newly ordained priests are Rev. Fr Michael Owusu Frimpong of New Tafo Parish, Rev. Fr Eric Etse Amevor of Adoagyiri-Nsawam Parish, and Rev. Fr. Eric Godsway Amuyao of Akosombo Parish. The rest are Rev. Fr Moses Kofi Teye of Agomanya Parish, Rev. Fr. Francis Eduah of Suhum Parish and Rev. Fr Edwin Tetteh Okletey of Nkurakan.
The ordaining bishop, Most Rev. Most Rev. Joseph Afrifah-Agyekum, began his homily by thanking God for the Ordinandi's acceptance and response to the call to be ordained into the ministerial priesthood. He also expressed his appreciation to the Parish Priest, V. Rev. Fr. Eric Evans Yayra Akahoho, the Parish Pastoral Council (PPC) and the entire Parishioners of Santa Barbara Catholic Church for accepting to host the Priestly Ordination. He as well thanked the parents of the Ordinandi for gladly offering their sons to Mother Church without any reservation. He further showed gratitude to the parishioners of the Ordinandi, the vocations team, and the Seminary Formators for accompanying them on their journey to the priesthood.
In his homily, the Chief-Shepherd made reference to the commemoration of the day - the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ - where God confirmed that Jesus Christ is his Beloved Son hence, the apostles should believe in him. The Bishop entreated all to believe in Jesus Christ, the Beloved Son of God since the central message of the day was as such.
The Bishop emphasized that it was necessary and appropriate for him to remind the Ordinandi that the entire Church community present at the Liturgy are praying with and for them for a fruitful priestly ministry and to be good stewards of Christ, therefore, they should try not to disappoint them.
Making reference to Gospel reading which proposes the theme ‘service with humility’ as an aspect of the priesthood; the mother of James and John came to make a request to Jesus that he should grant that both of her sons sit, one on his left and the other on his right in the kingdom of God. The other disciples were not even happy about it probably wondering what may become of them too. Jesus used this opportunity to teach them. “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many”, he pointed out. He reminded them that true greatness is not in dominance but rather in service of one another.
Among other things, the Prelate of Koforidua Diocese, told the Ordinandi to keep their promise of respect and obedience to the Bishop and their Parish Priests. He called on them to cherish a life of modesty and priestly celibacy. He again admonished them to demonstrate strong believe in what they read from the Word of God, teach what they believe and most importantly to practice what they teach. The Bishop continued, that sometimes unspeakable things are heard of Priests which suggest that they fail to practice what they preach. He encouraged them to let their examples rather speak volumes to the parishioners instead of what they preach.
