The Catholic Church in Ghana has been urged to intensify efforts to reconnect young people with the faith and safeguard Catholic identity in its educational institutions as it prepares to celebrate 150 years of its presence in the country.
The Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese expressed concern over the dwindling participation of young people in the Catholic Church, particularly those who gradually disengage from Church activities after receiving the sacraments of confirmation.
Raising concern during his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Plenary Assembly of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference at Our Lady of Grace SHS in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese on Monday, November 9.
“We continue to be worried about the dwindling numbers of our Catholic folk, especially the young people who get baptised, make their First Communion, are confirmed, and then find themselves missing from the practice of the Catholic faith,” he lamented.
According to him, some young Catholics completely abandon active participation in the Church, while others return only at later stages of their lives.
He said the situation raised important questions about the effectiveness of the Church’s pastoral engagement and its ability to sustain the faith of younger generations.
The host Bishop also expressed concern about what he described as the gradual erosion of Catholic identity and values in Catholic schools.
“We are worried about the gradual de-Christianisation of our schools and the eroding of Catholic ethos and Catholic identity in the schools around us,” he stated.
He further identified unemployment, poverty and the diminishing sense of hope among young people as challenges that could affect their social and spiritual wellbeing.
He questioned the circumstances confronting many young people who appear to spend their days moving from place to place without meaningful economic activity or a clear means of livelihood.
The Bishop Opoku-Agyeman said these concerns must be central to the Church’s preparations for its 150th anniversary, stressing that the milestone should go beyond commemorating its historical achievements to examining its present pastoral responsibilities.
He urged the Bishops to use the Plenary Assembly to reflect deeply on these challenges and develop practical measures to strengthen the Church’s mission.
The assembly is being held under the theme, Communion, Participation and Mission: Preparing the Catholic Church in Ghana for Her 150th Anniversary.”
He expressed confidence that, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church could renew its pastoral commitment and strengthen its engagement with young people and Catholic educational institutions.
By Theresa Kpordzo // Celestine Edem Gbologah // Newswatchgh.com
