Sekondi-takoradi: The Most Reverend Bishop John Baptist Attakruh, Bishop of the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese of the Catholic Church, has urged Catholic priests to be a source of healing to their parishioners in this era of a broken world. He emphasized the challenging times, especially for the youth who are unemployed and look up to the priests for direction, guidance, love, and care. As disciples of Jesus, priests should provide soothing support to their parishioners.
According to Ghana News Agency, Bishop Attakruh made these remarks during a sermon at the chrism mass held at St Joseph Catholic Church in Diabene in the western region, part of the Holy Week activities to herald the celebration of Easter. The mass, attended by over 200 priests from 75 parishes in the diocese, as well as religious sisters, nuns, brothers, and lay faithful, was used to bless special oils for the anointment of catechumens, the sick, and the ordination of priests throughout the year.
Bishop Attakruh highlighted the importance of these oils in the Catholic Church, stating that they are sacraments administered only by priests. Chrism mass provides an opportunity for the bishop to engage in candid discussions with priests representing him in the parishes and allows priests to renew their commitment to their priestly duties.
The bishop urged priests to let the joy, zeal, smiles, enthusiasm, and commitment they exhibited during their ordination reflect in their priestly duties. "Deeply reflect on your call to the priesthood and the vows you took during your ordination and perform your priestly duties with commitment, faithfulness, and zeal to win more souls for the Catholic Church," he said.
He expressed concern that some priests lose interest in their calling after one year of ordination, stressing that it would be better for a priest to leave the ministry than to serve the people of God in regret, pain, and hurt. The bishop tasked priests to always listen to their parishioners' concerns and needs, helping relieve them from all bondages and burdens, emphasizing that priesthood is a ministry of service and a gift from God. Priests should not lord over the people of God but should serve them.
Bishop Attakruh also called on parishioners to continue praying for their priests and collaborating with them to build their spiritual lives and enhance the church's growth. He praised the priests in the diocese for their support and commitment to the church's growth and urged them to renew their efforts to work harder for the good of the church and the faithful.
He noted that the diocese had slightly over 200 priests responsible for more than 3,070 Catholic members across 75 parishes.