The Most Rev. Gabriel Akwasi Ababio Mante, Bishop Emeritus of Jasikan Diocese, and Msgr. Simon Kofi Appiah, Bishop Elect of the Jasikan Diocese, paid a visit to their brother, Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom.
As part of the visit, they joined their brother and the faithful at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom, for the Eucharistic Celebration, which was on the Feast Day of the Baptism of the Lord. The Mass was presided over by Bishop Mante.
The Mass was also concelebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Bernard Adjei Appiah, SVD, the Administrator of the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom, and Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo, an assistant priest at the Cathedral.
In his homily, Bishop Mante indicated that our hope as Christians is in Jesus Christ. God had already destined him to be the Saviour of the world. Through his baptism, he purified the baptismal water and opened the door for all humanity to become children of God.
Even though he was without sin and didn’t need to be baptized, he took such an action as an example for all of us. So that, through baptism, we can also be saved by Him. He encouraged the faithful not to joke with their baptism and the baptismal promises, since it is integral to their salvation journey.
He bemoaned the situation where some Catholics have allowed themselves to be deceived by other people of different denominations and the “so-called men of God”, with wrong teachings about baptism and the Christian faith in general.
He encouraged them to be resolute in their faith and transmit it to the younger generation.
Bishop Asiedu, on his part, expressed gratitude and deep appreciation to his brothers for their short but significant visit. He wished the Bishop-Elect all the best as he prepares to embrace a higher office and calling in the church.
He promised his unflinching support to both the Bishop Emeritus, the Bishop Elect, and the entire faithful of Jasikan Diocese, and also for the fact that he is a son of the Diocese. He continued that the Vicariate is always ready to welcome them.
The Cathedral Administrator, on his part, indicated that their visit is very historic, hence very significant in the life of the Cathedral in particular and the Vicariate in general. Something that will not repeat itself again.
He also continued to thank the host bishop for choosing to bring his brothers to celebrate the Eucharist with the faithful at the Cathedral, since he could have chosen to go to a different parish. He also expressed his profound gratitude to the Bishop Emeritus and his successor to- be for their historic visit.
He promised them the prayerful support of the faithful of the Vicariate for the Jasikan Diocese and for the preparations towards the Consecration of the Bishop Elect. The Vicariate, he said, will be well represented during this historic moment of the Jasikan Diocese, when they get a new bishop.
Bishop Mante, in his departing message, encouraged the faithful in the Vicariate to support their Bishop, since the mission in the Afram Plains enclave is a tough one.
He also appealed to the government and all development partners to come to the aid of the Vicariate to develop the Afram Plains. Notable among the challenges was the frequent breakdown of the ferry at Agordeke to Kpando Torko, which prevented them from having a short and smooth journey to the Vicariate. Hence, they had to travel a long distance before arriving in the Vicariate. As a matter of urgency, something must be done about it by all stakeholders, according to the prelate.
By: Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo – AVD DEPSOCOM
