The Catholic Diocese of Donkorkrom recently held its 2026 Assumption Celebration at the Bonkrom Marian Grotto. The three-day program was on the theme “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (cf Luke 2:19).
The bishop in his concluding remarks for the celebration, thanked the chief of Bonkrom and his elders for their unwavering support for the development of the Grotto. He also invited the entire Bonkrom township to help develop the Grotto, which will also help develop the town as well. He encouraged the town folk to help the Bonkrom church take good care of the facilities such as the toilet and the water, which have been put to ease the burden of pilgrims.
On the elevation of the diocese and his installation as the first bishop, he thanked the Catholic faithful for all their support for a successful program. But he admitted that mission in the Donkorkrom Diocese is a difficult one. Hence, the need for all the faithful within and without to help in order to promote the Catholic faith and to develop the Afram Plains. He underscored the fact that the call to develop the Diocese is an invitation to all and not a selected few. The work is too big for him and the priests alone to carry on their shoulder.
He bemoaned the situation whereby the annual celebrations at the Bonkrom Grotto and that of the Sacred Heart at Bebusu are being left on deanery level. The two celebrations are diocesan in character, hence the entire diocese must be involved. He invited a good participation for both programs by the faithful from all the parishes.
The chief of Bonkrom, Nana Kofi Acheampong, on his part thanked the church for choosing the town for her Marian Grotto. He also thanked the bishop and the priests at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Maame Krobo for improving the water and sanitation situation at the Grotto. Which he believes had helped to improve the conditions of the pilgrims in this year’s Assumption Celebration.
He called for more efforts by the church to develop the Grotto such as a pavilion which will provide shade for the gathering, instead of always erecting canopies. This he believes will eventually translate into the development of the community.
He pledged his full support both in kind and cash to build the Grotto.
He also called on the bishop, the government and development partners to help provide certain social amenities such as the road network and the communication network. These he indicated will help improve the living conditions of pilgrims at the Grotto.
He concluded his message by congratulating the bishop on his installation as the first bishop of the Donkorkrom Diocese. He made a cash donation towards the development of the Grotto.
Also present were priests and religious, the elders of Bonkrom,who accompanied the chief, the Christian Mothers’ Association, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Association and other groups in the church.
Other activities of the celebration included, rosary processions through the Bonkrom town, talks, confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, and fundraising.
By Rev. Fr. Matthew Akakpo (DONKORKROM DIOCESE-DEPSOCOM)
