The Bishop-Elect of the Catholic Diocese of Wa, Msgr. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr, has hinted that one of his top most plans as Prelate would be to listen to the different groups and organisations in the Diocese.
In an exclusive interview with Newswatchgh.com, on June 15, 2024, he said it would be his desire to see what their real needs are as far as development of their faith and the Diocese is concerned.
He said once he and the people had identified their real needs, then he can plan with them to see how to move forward to develop their faith from where the other four Bishops have left.
Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ, the Newswatchgh.com Reporter and a Sister Communicator asked the Bishop-Elect what were his future plans for the youth, lay faithful, Priests and Religious in the Diocese, he stated “So, I’ll identify the people’s needs, acknowledge what my predecessors have done and to continue from there, he said in an interview.
The Bishop-Elect who would be ordained on Friday, August 2, 2024 at the Upper West Sports Stadium, Wa at 9:30am, said he sees himself coming back home to continue the mission of the Lord among his own people.
Touching on programmes he is likely to put in place to help children and the youth of the Diocese, he told Newswatchgh.com that he would first open his eyes and ears to listen to what their struggles are, their major problems and how they can stand up as Christian Catholic youth.
Bishop-Elect Bomansaan indicated that together with the youth, they’ll work for whatever comes up in his listening and in their sharing with him.
For the children, he pointed out that he would do these things together with them and their parents because as children, they might not be able to articulate, adding that some of the parents might help to articulate the needs of the children who might need to be attended to as they grow in the faith.
Sharing his experience on how he felt about his new appointment, he said, “for me personally, to be honest with you, I was shattered when I was told in the Dicastery for Evangelisation, of my nomination as Bishop of Wa.”
He noted that his immediate reaction was that “no it is not possible” as he never dreamt about becoming a bishop and never aspired for it.
According to Bishop-Elect Bomansaan, he left the office in tears, upset and confused, stating that he could not even find his way back to the house.
He narrated that unfortunately, he found himself turning around in the midst of people as he couldn’t even remember his way to the metro (train) station. After more than an hour and half of turning around, he eventually asked for direction to the metro station and finally got back to the house.
He said he told his colleagues in the General Council that he was sick and the following day, he had instant chills and developed blisters on his lips because of stress. He lost appetite for a number of days.
On a brighter note, fortunately, for the Bishop-elect, he said the voice of the one who gave him the news of his nomination kept on coming back to him (in his attempt to turn down the nomination) saying “it’s not about you, it is not about your convenience, it’s about the people “.
For him, that was a voice which he kept hearing anytime he tried to pray. Though he couldn’t pray well, that voice kept coming to him, “it’s not about you and not about your convenience but about the people.”
He indicated to Newswatchgh.com that his Spiritual Director who was the only person he was allowed to talk to (in the context of confession) at that moment also re-echoed the words, “it’s not about you or your convenience but it’s about the people” you have given your life to.
This, according to him, eventually gave him peace and he went back and gave his yes to the nomination. He gave in his total yes and at the moment, he is peaceful and have accepted it wholeheartedly.
He sees his election as part of the mission that he committed himself to and had served in other parts of the world so if he’s to go back to serve his own people, adding that he is disposed completely for the work entrusted to him.
Asked how his Confreres, (the White fathers) felt about the whole turn out of events since he was holding an equally important position in his congregation, Bishop-Elect Bomansaan said, “The Superior, the General Council, my Brothers told me they’re very honoured, and proud that I am nominated”.
They further told him that they envied the people of Wa as they had taken him away and they would miss him in the General Council and in the Society.
According to him, many other Confreres sent him congratulatory messages but equally expressed their painful feelings and were still expressing them (painful feelings) that, they would miss him.
“For me, this statement (of many of his confreres) humbled me,” he stated.
By Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ//Newswatcgh.com
