The Donkorkrom Vicariate in the Afram Plains has bade farewell to Rev. Frs. George Darius Sokpo and Stephen Kofi Sakpaku who had worked tirelessly in the Vicariate for over a decade.
The Farewell Mass held on April 17 at the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom was presided over by Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, the Bishop of Donkorkrom who said though they are leaving the Vicariate, their good works remains for others to see while their functions remain for others to undertake.
Appealing to the consciences of the Priests and Religious, the Bishop called for a spirit of openness and availability among his remaining collaborators, to take up the roles that had been left behind by the two departing priests who have faithfully served the Vicariate for a period of twelve and eleven years respectively.
Nevertheless, the work of God has to continue even with the reduced number of pastors, and the vacant roles would have to be taken up; hence the Bishop pleaded to all to remain open and make him or herself available for some additional function where the need be.
The two priests were presented with Citations which eulogised and lauded them for their good works for the Vicariate.
Fr. Sokpo is a priest of the Diocese of Aneho, Togo, ordained on December 7, 1996. Heeding to the pastoral needs of the then newly created Vicariate of Donkorkrom, which was formerly under Koforidua Diocese, he generously volunteered to come and serve in the Vicariate.
Since 2011, he has served the Vicariate in the following capacities: Pastor of the then newly created St. Cecilia Parish, Forifori, until 2017, and then St. Fidelis Parish, Tease.
Apart from his parish pastoral work which he carried out zealously, he had other responsibilities, namely, Chancellor, member of the College of Consultors of the Vicariate, Laity Chaplain and Chairman of Lands Committee, as well as President of the Diocesan Priests’ Association, a post he held till July 2021.
In all these, Fr. Sokpo discharged his duties with great sense of diligence and responsibility. His dedication and commitment to the Vicariate’s Laity Council is highly recommendable. Virtually all whom he ministered with and to, both clergy and laity shall with ease, remember him.
On his part, Fr. Stephen Kofi Sakpaku, a priest of the Archdiocese of Accra was ordained on August 14, 2010. Barely two years after his ordination, he heard the cry of God’s children in the Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate, and out of his own initiative and from a large heart, he requested to work in the Vicariate for some time.
Since he arrived in the Vicariate from 2012, he has served the Vicariate in various capacities as: Bursar of the Vicariate, Pastor of St. Theresa Parish, Samanhyia and St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Maame-Krobo, besides being in charge of pastoral care of the Vicariate.
He was part of the College of Consultors, and he distinguished himself in all these duties and responsibilities.
His love for children and their education and his interest and skills in Social Communication are highly appreciated, the Citation stated, adding, Fr. Sakpaku has touched and transformed the lives of many people who encountered him.
Apart from the human transformation, the Citation also lauded him for the spiritual nourishment and infrastructural development which is evident in Churches and some schools within the Vicariate.
His effort in promoting religious ecumenism to ensure peaceful co-existence with other religious denominations is also very commendable.
There was the celebration of the Holy Mass to mark this very significant occasion in the life of the Vicariate.
