Accra, The St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church at Baatsona in Accra, Saturday ordained three priests to serve the Church and help execute its core mandate.
They were Reverend Evans Adomako Appiah, Rev Yeah Foli, and Rev. Gustav Kpeyibor, all members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuit).
The Most Reverend John Bonaventure Kwofie, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, who ordained the priests, charged them to work hard to promote the spiritual, financial and psychosocial development of the Church.
He encouraged them to work in love and enrich themselves with the knowledge of God to effectively undertake the religious tasks and nurture the church to grow in the love of Christ.
The three priests affirmed their faith in God and pledged to avail themselves to any duty that would help to win more souls for Christ.
They pledged to lead exemplary lives for the youth to emulate and to serve the Church and humanity in faithfulness, bearing in mind that they would account for their works one day.
Rev Fr Edmond Agorhom (Jesuit), Director of Claver House and Jesuit Retreat Superior Centre, said the ordination of the three Jesuits was the first of its kind in the country.
He said the Church was celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the founder of the Jesuits; St. Ignatius.
He said priesthood was a spiritual journey and urged them not to allow social pressures, political issues, and other distractions to sway them from their core mandate and the purpose of God concerning their lives.
Rev Yeah Foli, on behalf of his colleagues, testified as to how difficult the journey into priesthood had been and said the grace of God, prayer, focus and perseverance would help them attain their goal.
He said the support of family, friends and the Church would play a significant role in their journey to becoming successful priests.
“There are several challenges you will encounter after deciding to be a priest. Parents and family would sometimes disagree but if Gods’ plan for you is to be a priest, then a little push and determination will get you there,” Rev. Foli said.
“We were 12 when we started schooling but only three of us have been ordained today. Some stopped along the way when they realised it wasn’t their calling, you cannot force it”.
“I am nothing but a mere servant, I will not do anything for self-glorification but rather do things to lift the name of God.”
Source: Ghana News Agency