The Most Reverend Joseph Essien has called on priests to step out of their “comfort zone to serve the people of God.” According to him, the priesthood is a vocation “which is demanding on the time and talent of all who accept the call. Priestly life is a life of sacrifice. Those who are not ready to sacrifice themselves for the Church have no business being in the Priesthood.”
He made these remarks in his homily during Mass when he ordained three to the priesthood for the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi. The three ordained are Rev. Fr. Justice Kenyah Azane, St. Peter’s Parish, Jaway-Wharf, Rev. Fr. Ernest Boateng, Immaculate Conception Parish, Asankragwa and Rev. Fr. Stephen Awotwe Baidoo, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Kwesimintsim.
Bishop Essien also urged parents to strive to train their children with strong moral values. “The Church needs more priests with good moral character. Parents have a role to play in the formation of priests. They are the primary educators of children and they must diligently discharge their duties”
Addressing the congregation, the Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi, Very Rev. John Baptist Attakruh, called on the faithful present to support the new priests with prayers as they commence the pastoral ministry.
Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained, Rev. Fr. Justice Kenyah Azane expressed gratitude to their families, formators, and benefactors for the unwavering for their continuous support throughout their formation.
The Mass was concelebrated by priests working in the diocese. The ordination ceremony which took place at the Star of the Cathedral, Takoradi was attended by hundreds of lay faithful from the various parishes in the dioceses as well as religious and seminarians.
The schedule for the first Thanksgiving Masses of the newly ordained priests are as follows;
Rev. Fr. Justice Kenyah Azane,
November 1, 2020 9:00am
At St. Peter’s Parish, Jaway-Wharf,
Rev. Fr. Ernest Boateng,
November 1, 2020 9:00am
At Immaculate Conception Parish, Asankragwa
Rev. Fr. Stephen Awotwe Baidoo,
November 1, 2020 9:00am
At St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Kwesimintsim.
Source: Depsocom-Catholic Diocese of Sekondi-Takoradi
