Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Archbishop of Cape Coast, has advised the newly ordained Bishop of Wiawso to be the image of Christ the Teacher by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, to teach the Word of God “…whether in season or out of season…”
He urged him exhort to virtue and denounce vice and evil, injustice and immorality, etc. By his very life, St. Paul exhorts Timothy to be a virtuous and holy man, one above reproach. “Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity”.
Now, to you, our Bishop-elect, you are called to be the true image of Christ Jesus the High Priest and holy one to all who come into contact with you. So, what is holiness of life? What can we learn from the Gospel of John 10:11-16 chosen for today?
Preaching the homily at the ordination Mass of Most Rev. Samuel Nkuah Boateng, at the St. Joseph Senior High School, Sefwi Datano on Friday, April 21, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle entreated him to humbly continue his future service as Bishop and Bishop of Wiawso, with his ears open and his heart especially attentive to the voice of the Lord our God.
“Yes, one of the indispensable duties of a bishop is listening in order to discern the will of God for his people particularly for their salvation and to help them respond to the Lord God who saves them,” he said.
He prayed that the new Bishop would “find time to be in the presence of the Lord your God like Samuel your namesake who was sleeping in the sanctuary with the lamp of the Lord still burning.”
“Furthermore, may you grow to be attentive to and hear God speaking to you even and also through the voices of the people entrusted to your care as well as of your priests and religious with whom you will be caring for the people of God in this Diocese,” he added.
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle told the new Bishop to be a “listening bishop in this day and age of journeying in a synodal Church.”
“At present, in the Holy Roman Catholic Church under the power of the Holy Spirit and the leadership of Pope Francis, we are “journeying in a synodal Church: (in) Communion, Participation and Mission,” he stated, urging him to keep this synodal journey on the pastoral radar.
“As bishop, you are eminently the Church’s symbol of Communion, vertical communion with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; and horizontal communion with your Priests, Religious and Lay faithful for whom you are also an indispensable symbol of unity,” he advised Bishop Nkuah-Boateng.
Full homily to be published by Newswatchgh.com
